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Fatwa CenterRuling on drawing lots on credit cards
Question
An Islamic bank draws lots on each credit card once it is used in buying, and the winner receives a car. What is the ruling of the Sharee'ah (Islamic law) on this procedure?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
If the participant in the drawing of lots does not pay any money in return for taking part in it, there would be nothing wrong with it, Allaah willing, according to the preponderant opinion of scholars; and the value of the prize for which the lots are drawn -- be it great or small from the car and what is above it and what is below it -- does not count.
However, the important thing is that it (the prize) should be permissible; that is, it is impermissible to draw lots for musical instruments or unlawful drinks, or their like.
In this case, we should bring to mind that it is of great importance to verify that this bank is Islamic, and subject, in all its dealings, to the rulings of the Islamic Sharee‘ah, including, of course, the issuing of a credit card, and the conditions put on anyone taking part in it.
If the credit card is subject to conditions that contradict the rulings of the Islamic Sharee‘ah, it is then impermissible to take part in or receive them except to serve an indispensable need in some places and dealings.
Allaah Knows best.
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