Ruling on the National Lottery

Q 2: What is the ruling on lottery?

A: Lottery is a form of money collected in large quantities, for instance one million riyal, by some companies, governments, and associations from a large number of people. A great portion of the collected money, for example ten thousand pounds, is then divided by means of gambling among a few of the payers while the rest is kept by the collecting parties. Small banknote-like raffles known as lottery are printed and priced at say one riyal each. Such a price is imprinted on each sold lottery ticket. The ten thousand pounds i.e. the amount which provides profit for the lottery buyers, is allotted as a share or a stock which is referred to as numerals. A number is imprinted on each sold lottery ticket as well as the amount of money each one of the top ten is expected to win while the rest is divided evenly among the remaining ninety (Part No. 15; Page No. 204) in an order known as Sahb (draw) which is similar to that of Al-Azlâm (arrows for seeking luck or decision that were used in the pre-Islamic time of ignorance). Thus, numbers from one to one hundred thousand each known as 'Numeral' in a case where the raffles to be sold are one hundred thousand; are imprinted on small pieces of metal and put in a circular metal vessel into which a hole is made after the fashion of the pre-Islamic Qadah (a container in which the Arabs used to put their arrows during the practice of divining arrows). Each time the vessel is moved, a raffle pops out. On the day of the draw, the vessel is moved as many times as the number of the winners. The first raffle to pop out is known as 'First Numeral' whatever its number may be. It wins the largest share of the lottery prize. The second raffle to pop out is referred to as the 'Second numeral' which wins a lesser share than the first. The process is repeated until the number of the winning numerals is over; a point at which the draw stops and the rest of the contestants lose. The matter of lottery is thus clear, it falls under the generality of gambling which is made Haram (prohibited) by Allah (Exalted be He) Who says: O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and Al-Ansâb, and Al-Azlâm (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitan’s (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful. Shaitân (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allâh and from As-Salât (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain? (Part No. 15; Page No. 205) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.