Is Money Won in a Trivia Game Permissible to Keep?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
Is it permissible to keep money earned from answering trivia questions posed by a non-mahram at a family gathering? Would it be considered haram because it was part of a game?
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.
If no money were paid for the trivia game, it would be permissible to keep it.
If someone pays money to participate in a game or answer a trivia question, it is considered gambling, which is impermissible. This is because they risk their money in the hope of winning a prize or reward. This situation involves placing wealth at risk, which fits the definition of gambling.
The definition of unlawful gambling and chancing is ownership of wealth with a risk of loss. [Jassas, al-Ahkam al-Quran]
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. In sha” Allah, you will receive guidance and direction.
Related
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received 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.
