Competitions

Q: I wrote a poem describing a scene of nature that I submitted to a large (non-Muslim) poetry competition. I came second place and have won R500. My poem will also be published in a poetry collection that will be distributed. There was no entrance fee for this competition. (1) Is the money I have won permissible? (2) Is it correct for me to get into these things - albeit not seriously and only occasionally - for perhaps some part-time income etc.? This would include writing poems, short essays, descriptive passages on nature, the rain, the environment, the effects of pollution and similar topics. Maybe these topics have some Deeni benefit and are not futile. I do not know. I think I am quite good in writing on these things as well. Please help me and correct my understanding.

Q: I conducted an online customer satisfaction survey, as incentive all those that completed the survey will be entered into a cash prize draw. Seven
respondents will win R1000.00 each. I lost the data containing the contact details of all those that completed the survey. I never even have the draw as yet. How Do I resolve this, this is my fault because I delayed in administering this payout and now I lost the data. We are trying to recover the lost data but things are not looking very positive.

Q: I would like to find out if I enter a weight loss competition, can I do so, there is a fee to join? The winner will receive a portion of the fees collected.

Q: Is it permissible to take part in a competition where you have to buy an item and they ask you to sms a secret code inside the wrapper? Will this be regarded as gambling as you are paying towards the competition due to the fact that you first have to buy the item although it is selling at the normal price?

Q: To encourage consumers to complete an online customer survey can I offer them entry into a cash prize draw. 5 lucky respondents will get R1000 each for example. Is this permissible?

Q: To encourage consumers to fill out a survey, we offered entry into a cash prize draw as an incentive if you complete the survey. 5 respondents will each win a certain amount of money. After capturing the respondents details, my systems crashed and I lost all the data, I tried everything I could and there is no way of retrieving that data. What do I do ? I have no way of knowing who completed the survey, so how do I choose five winners. Is this form of incentive permissible?

Q: I will be hosting a car show during the course of next month and would like to find out if the proceeds from this event can go to a sponsorship for a hajj fund for people that have been accepted for hajj this year. The funds raised on this day will come from the entrance fee that each person pays to enter their vehicle. At the end of the show, the participants will receive trophies. Please advise me in this regard.

Q: I recently came across a website (www.justplay.co.za). on this website one can enter competitions by answering questions. the problem is that most questions are relating to insurance companies, etc.

Q: A competition is being run where a certain amount is given as a donation and the donor is entered into a draw for an Umrah ticket and a quad bike. The money is used for a campaign to free a prisoner and the prizes are sponsored by third parties. Is this type of competition permissible?

Q: Is it permissible to use the prizes won from a music competition. The host plays a song and prizes are given for knowing the name of the song, artist, etc. No money is paid to enter the competition.