Here in Egypt we have something called investment bonds which are sold in the
banks. They are known as “Group C” bonds, and they carry no profit,
i.e., if you buy a certificate, then you want to return it, even ten years
later, or more, or less, you will get back the same amount as you paid for
it. Then the computer selects a number of one of the certificates that
have been sold, and this wins first prize; there also second, third prizes
and so on, as many as 400 prizes. The first prize is twenty thousand
(Egyptian) pounds. What I want to know is, if I buy one of these bonds then I am one of the prize-winners, is it permissible for me to take this money
or not? Will I be committing a sin?
Praise be to Allah.
What
you have described in your question is a kind of gambling (lottery), and
it is haraam. In fact it is a major sin, according to the Qur’aan,
Sunnah and scholarly consensus.
And
Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad
and his family and companions, and grant them peace.