Wednesday 6 Rabi‘ at-akhir 1446 - 9 October 2024
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Can he accept money that comes from the lottery company?

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Publication : 11-03-2003

Views : 19468

Question

I recently found out that the scholarship I receive to help pay my school tuition is funded by the Florida lottery. Should I not accept the scholarship any more?.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

If this money is only a scholarship and is not subject to any condition requiring you to work with them – for example – or to advertise for them and commend their work, then there is nothing to prevent you accepting it. Money that is haraam because of its source may be made use of and taken possession of if it is transferred in a manner that is Islamically acceptable. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: 

… Others said with regard to that which is haraam because of its source, the sin is one on the one who acquired it, not on the one who takes it in a permissible manner from the one who acquired it. This is unlike things that are haraam in and of themselves, such as alcohol, goods seized by force, etc. This is a strong opinion, based on the fact that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) bought food for his family from a Jew – narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1954; Muslim, 3007. And he ate from the roast sheep that was given to him by the Jewish woman at al-Khaybar, and he accepted the invitation of a Jew. Narrated by Ahmad, 3/210. 

It is well known that most of the Jews deal in riba (usury) and consume haraam wealth. This view may be supported by the fact that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, concerning the meat that was given in charity to Bareerah, “It is charity for her and for us it is a gift.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1398; Muslim, 2764. 

Al-Qawl al-Mufeed Sharh Kitaab al-Tawheed, 3/138, 139. 

For more information, please see the answers to questions no. 4820

We should point out that it is not permissible for a Muslim to remain in the land of kufr or to study in a mixed environment, because that involves doing several things that are forbidden in sharee’ah. 

For more information please see the answers to questions no. 2956 and 10338

And Allaah knows best.

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Source: Islam Q&A