Wealth acquired from lotteries

Praise be to Allah.

Wealth that is acquired through gambling – which may be called a lottery, lucky draw, and so on – is not acquired through lawful means, so it is not halal. Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful”

[al-Maa’idah 5:90].

This is gambling; anything that is based on probability in any game or any action comes under the heading of gambling. It is not permissible for a Muslim to take this matter lightly. The only wealth that is permissible for him is that which is acquired by halal means, through buying and selling in permissible ways, or is received as a permissible gift, or through permissible loans, or permissible and halal wages, and so on. The ways of acquiring halal wealth are well known in Islamic teachings.

As for gambling in all forms, it is not permissible for a Muslim to engage in that; rather he must avoid earning through such means, through gambling or through selling haram things such as alcohol, tobacco and the like. That is not permissible; rather the Muslim must avoid it, hoping for that which is with Allah [of reward] and fearing His punishment. Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out

And will provide for him from where he does not expect”

[at-Talaaq 65:2-3].

If a person gives up something for the sake of Allah, Allah will compensate him with something better than it as He, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him of his matter ease” [at-Talaaq 65:4].

End quote.

Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him)

Fatawa Noor ‘ala ad-Darb (3/1483).