Participating in a competition called 'Send the newspaper slogan'

2-2-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

A newspaper launched a competition whereby the slogan of the newspaper is to be cut and sent at the end of every week (seven coupons) without answering any questions, only sending the slogan of the newspaper. This would last for nine months. There will be a drawing of lots every week and the winner will win 100 Dinars. What is the Sharee‘ah ruling on this?
May Allaah Reward you.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

This competition is one of the forms of unlawful gambling because it is made for marketing the newspaper. The buyer only buys it for joining the competition. If you buy it for the sake of reading it, and not for joining the competition, and then after you finish reading it you cut off the required part and send it to the newspaper to join the lots, then we think it is permissible to do so.

Allaah Knows best.