Interest and Gambling

Sports betting

Q: Is it acceptable to engage in sports betting?

Sports betting involves wagering money on predictions of sports outcomes, such as a player's performance or a team's victory. If the prediction is correct, the better's money can potentially be doubled or tripled. In essence, sports betting revolves around forecasting sports results and staking money on those predictions.

Clalit Health Services

Q: "I've been informed by my Muslim friend, an Israeli citizen, that according to the Mashaaikh in Palestine (Israel), participating in Clalit Health Services is considered permissible. Clalit is a health maintenance organization where members pay a fixed monthly fee for comprehensive healthcare coverage. Considering this structure, I seek further clarification and alignment with Islamic principles.

Additionally, is the model of Clalit Health Services similar to that of medical aid commonly seen in other places, or are there significant differences that I should be aware of? I kindly request insights on this matter, and if further research is necessary for accurate understanding, it would be appreciated if you could provide guidance on the key aspects to explore."

Poor person using interest money to pay off a loan

Q: I have a credit card loan which I need to pay immediately. For several months I am trying to pay it but I failed. I don't have sufficient money to pay it. But I have a bank deposit from where interest money is automatically generated. I have no other source to pay it other than this interest money.

Previously I did not use this interest money due to Islamic reasons. But now I am in an emergency situation as if I fail to pay my debt, it will generate interest. Kindly help me and show me the correct path. May I use this interest money to pay my debt and seek forgiveness to the Almighty Allah?

Entering a competition run by an insurance company

Q:

1. Is it permissible to enter a competition run by an insurance company, without becoming involved in paying for any insurance, to enter is free of charge.

2. If one does win the competition, and the prize isn’t a cash prize, instead it is a gift card from a completely separate business, will it be permissible to use this gift card? What should one do with the items won?

Assurance from a service company of replacement or compensation in the event of damage or destruction to a vehicle

Q: Is it permissible to engage the services of an individual or a security company that extends a commitment to safeguard my vehicle, with assurances of either replacement or compensation equivalent to its value in the event of damage or destruction?

eBucks

Q: Kindly please advise.

My husband has a credit card which he uses to do transactions and alhamdulillah all these transactions are interest free. He uses it for convenience so he doesn't need to carry cash. By using this card he earns ebucks points which have accumulated and will be very valuable in purchasing necessary appliances in the home. Is the purchasing of these items with the ebucks points permissible?