Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question:
Assalamu ‘alaykum.
Is it permissible to take money from winning sports competitions? Note that no registration fees are paid. Even if they are paid, they are not used to giving us prizes. A sponsor is available. In such cases, is it okay to take the prize? Because the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Prize money is only allowed for racing camels, shooting arrows or racing horses”? (Tirmidhi)
Is it also permissible to take any other gift other than money, such as trophies?
Answer:
Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.
I pray you are well.
Prizes Are Permissible
Yes, it is permissible to take the winnings from a sporting tournament. It is essentially a gift from the organizers to the winning team and is permissible as money or a trophy.
This is permissible even with an entry fee, as the fee payment for participation, and not the money that is given by one side in a bet.
One-Way Betting is Permissible
The hadith you mentioned refers to betting, and classical scholars explained it as a one-way bet being permissible. For example, A and B have a race. If A wins, B gives him £5, but if B wins, A does not have to give him anything. This is permissible. (al Mawsu’a al Fiqhiyya al Kuwwaitiyya).
This is also different from fighting sports which involve hitting the face, where people are paid to engage in the sport. That income would not be permissible.
May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani