is issuing investment bonds (Group C) which is a kind of certificate that you purchase from the bank, and there is a draw based on these certificates every month. The winning certificate gets a large amount of money. At the same time, holders of these certificates still keeps the value of the certificates and can withdraw their money at any time. What is the Islamic ruling on this amount of money that is won by the holder of the winning certificate?
Praise be to Allah.If
the matter is as you describe, this transaction is a kind of gambling and
is a major sin, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“O
you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and
gambling, and Al-Ansaab (animals that are slaughtered on stone
altars for idols), and Al-Azlaam (arrows for seeking luck or
decision) are an abomination of Shaytaan’s (Satan’s) handiwork. So
avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be
successful.Shaytaan
(Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with
intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the
remembrance of Allaah and from As-Salaah (the prayer). So, will you
not then abstain?”
[al-Maa’idah
5:90-91]
The
person who deals in these things must repent to Allaah, seek His
forgiveness and avoid dealing in these things; he must get rid of any
money that he has earned in this manner, so that Allaah will accept his
repentance.
And
Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad
and his family and companions, and grant them peace.