Ruling on buying a newspaper to win a competition

Q: Due to the lack of donations that come to the association whether for children with special needs or needy families, the association will hold a competition about the Social Solidarity. This competition aims to inform the people of Al-Ta'if of the services of the association and its need for the help and support of the rich people to make a fixed income for the needy families (Part No. 15; Page No. 184) and orphans with special needs. The competition will commence in Ramadan, Allah willing, in public libraries in the governorate of Al-Ta’if. The competition is a subscription form, the price of which is 3 Riyals. The association will copy 200 books; each book contains 100 pages. As for the competition prizes, they are donations from different corporations and institutions which include: Fridges, washing machines, cookers, water coolers, heaters, TVs and computers. We have submitted a letter to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs to get their consent but their reply came as follows: The matter requires the consent of the Ministry of Commerce and sending a letter to the branch of the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Ifta' to issue the legal ruling on this competition. Could you kindly give us your opinion on this competition?

A: This kind of competition is not permissible and it is a kind of devouring people's money without right, for every participant pays a sum of money by chance and he does not know whether he will get it back or not which resembles the forbidden gambling. You may call and exhort people to spend in the ways of good other than this. (Part No. 15; Page No. 185) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.