for both contestants, for it lays bare the other’s inability, and consuming wealth in this way is consuming a rightful due….” He went on to say, “I do not know of any Companion who stipulated the presence of a muḥallil; this condition is known only from Saʿid ibn al-Musayyib, and it was from him that later scholars took it.” End quote.

From what has preceded it becomes clear that lawful competitions fall into two categories:

1. Competitions that yield a recognized religious benefit, such as training for jihad or exercising one’s skills in matters of knowledge.
2. Competitions whose sole aim is harmless recreation.

The first category is the one for which a prize may be taken, provided the earlier conditions are met.

The second category is permissible only on condition that it does not distract from an obligation, nor divert one from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. For this type, taking a prize is not allowed.

Today people have greatly expanded their involvement in this latter kind, spending on it both time and money, and it brings no benefit to the Muslims. There is no power nor might except with Allah.