Is It Permissible to Play Skill-Based Games and Win Prizes?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

Is it permissible to play skill-based games like Free Fire with the music turned off, and to enter tournaments that involve entry fees or prize money?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

Skill-based games with Music Turned Off

Yes, it is permissible to play Free Fire with the music turned off.

Entering Tournaments with Entry Fees and Prize Money

Yes, it is permissible to take winnings from a sporting tournament. The winning team can receive the money or a trophy as a gift from the organizers. This remains permissible even with an entry fee, as the fee is a payment for participation, not the money given by one side in a bet.

Halal Form of Prize-Based Tournament

If the entry fee is not for the final prize money but for participation, and the prize is financed through sources like advertisements or sponsors, it is not considered gambling. The fees can be used for administration, volunteer expenses, venue bookings, equipment, and other costs for participating teams.

Impermissible Element

Any game or competition that involves risking the loss or gain of one’s wealth, like in a two-way betting, is considered gambling and is not allowed. [Kasani, Bada’i al-Sana’i]

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Related

• What Falls Under Idle Entertainment (lahw)?
• Reader on Playing Video Games
• Is It Permissible To Take Money From Winning Sports Competitions?
• Gambling Archives – SeekersGuidance
• Is Sports Gambling Permissible after Doing Proper Research?

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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.