Answered by: Alimah Siddiqa al-Farsiyyah
Question
Assalamualaikum, I wanted to know if I win a giveaway on YouTube, is it allowed to accept? Jazakallah
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
According to my understanding, giveaways are when viewers are asked to like, comment, share videos or do similar activities in order to be included in a draw. The channel host then, randomly selects a winner most likely, by drawing lots.
As long as the viewer has not paid to be included in the draw and has won the contest through random selection by doing some type of activity mentioned above, then he may accept the prize. Paying to be included in a probability contest is impermissible and can be recognized as a form of gambling, as money is being put at stake.
There are no factors that would render such an activity impermissible rather, drawing lots has been recognized as one of the fairest ways of giving preference to one person over the others, even Islamically.
Only Allāh knows best
Written by Alimah Siddiqa al-Farsiyyah
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Dārul Iftā Birmingham