Competition

Q 1: We have read the Fatwa ascribed to you about forbidding the prizes presented from shops and stores with the intention of promoting their commodities. The question is: What is the ruling on those who receive any of these prizes which they won before knowing of their prohibition? Should they return it or may they use it?

A: Whoever won any of these prizes from merchants who gave them away to promote their commodities before they know of their prohibition, there is no wrong in them using them because they did not know the ruling. Allah (Exalted be He) says, concerning those who dealt in usury, So whosoever receives an admonition from his Lord and stops eating Ribâ (usury) shall not be punished for the past; his case is for Allâh (to judge) As for the prizes they won after knowing of the prohibition, they should give them in charity or sell them and spend their value in the ways of good in order to get rid of them. They should also repent to Allah from this. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.