Is Charging Entry Fees for Online Quiz Competitions Permissible in Islam?

Understanding the Shariah Perspective on Entry Fees in Educational Contests

The Shariah Perspective on Entry Fees for Online Quiz Competitions/Educational Contests

Nowadays, a large number of online quiz competitions and educational contests are being organized. In the absence of physical schools and universities, these are a good alternative and an excellent use of time. However, some of these quizzes and educational contests seem to involve elements of gambling. One brother sent me the announcement of such an educational competition and asked for my opinion.

The competition was titled “Online 15-day Certified Tafseer Course and Contest.” To participate, a mandatory entry fee of fifty rupees had to be paid. At the end of the course, three winners would be selected and awarded prizes of three thousand, two thousand, and one thousand rupees, respectively. Additionally, ten more participants would receive encouragement prizes. In case of a tie, a draw would be held.

The question that arises here is: Is it permissible to charge an entry fee for such competitions? Before answering this question, it is essential to understand that if someone organizes an online educational course and charges a reasonable fee from participants, there is no harm in that. However, if the course includes a competition and an entry fee is charged, then it becomes akin to gambling. Undoubtedly, many participants may join the course not for the sake of learning but with the sole intent of winning the prize. They might even enter multiple members of their household, hoping that if one person doesn’t win, another might. Thus, it is possible that they either win or lose. If they win, they make a profit, but if they lose, they suffer a loss, no matter how big or small. This is essentially the definition of gambling, where a person risks money with the possibility of either gaining or losing.

Someone asked Sheikh Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid about a situation where he bought an Islamic newspaper that had announced a prize competition. He was capable of answering the questions and participated in the contest. If he were to win, would it be permissible for him to accept the prize?  

In response, Sheikh Al-Munajjid explained gambling and said that if the newspaper requires participants to pay a fee to participate in the contest or charges for entry coupons, then this is gambling. However, if the participant does not pay any money to participate, then it is not considered gambling, and there is no harm in participating in such contests. (IslamQA, Fatwa No. 89746)

Similarly, regarding prize competitions decided through a draw, Sheikh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) stated that if participation in the competition requires the payment of any amount, whether large or small, and the participant cannot compete without paying this fee, it falls under the category of gambling. This is similar to modern lotteries, where a person might offer a car worth one hundred thousand riyals and issue ten thousand purchase cards, selling each card for ten riyals. The cards are then entered into a draw, and one cardholder receives the car as a prize, while the rest lose their money. (IslamQA, Fatwa No. 20993)

From the above explanation, it becomes clear that any quiz competition or educational contest that charges an entry fee falls into the category of gambling, and therefore, participating in such competitions is not permissible. Those who are sincere in their actions and wish to reward people through quizzes or educational contests should not charge a participation fee. Similarly, teachers and instructors who conduct online educational courses are undoubtedly allowed to charge a reasonable fee for the course. However, if they also announce prizes, charging a fee for the course would constitute gambling. If they wish to honor a few hard working students without prior announcement, there is no harm in doing so.

By Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi (Hafizahullah), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)

Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail