Answered by: Alimah Zakiratul Hoque
Question:
I downloaded an app which rewards its members for completing various types of surveys. I had completed more than 8 surveys out of which 3 got approved for rewards (they give the details of the reward amount for a particular survey, Eg: They say up to Rs.200 for a particular survey). If they detect that a member is not answering some of the questions properly or they are just speeding through the survey, then they might not be entitled to any reward or they might get less than the said amount. Sometimes, members are also rewarded with a small amount of money if they just participated in the survey.
However, I got the rewards in the form of digital scratch cards, such that only when I scratched the card the said reward amount was transferred to my digital wallet instantly. Also, I did not pay anything in order to take these surveys.
I wanted to know if it is permissible to use the reward amount which I received in my wallet through the scratch cards.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
If you complete the survey and the reward is considered a payment for completing it, then the reward amount should be specified for it to be permissible (Badai Al Sanai, Vol 5, Pg 520).
If the reward is a gift, it would be permissible.
كون الأجرة المسماة له فلأنها بدل منافع هي حقه
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Alimah Zakiratul Hoque
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham