Q.1. Which types of raffle are permissible, and which are not? Do they carry serious punishment?
Q.2. Is it OK for a person to distances himself from another Muslim because of his bad conduct?
Rasheed
A.1. Where raffles are offered as a means of promotion, without putting a price on them, then they are permissible. Suppose a shop offers a draw using the numbers carried by its till receipts, and offering a prize like a television set or even a more valuable one, there is nothing wrong with that. The people who enter the draw are those who buy something from that shop. What they pay is the price of the commodity they buy. They do not pay anything for entering into the draw. They receive their money’s worth. Such raffle is permissible. But if you have to pay for your raffle ticket, it is a form of lottery or gambling, and it is forbidden.
A.2. If you boycott someone because of his Islamically unacceptable behavior, you are to be commended. It is always better to steer away from whatever and whoever encourages sinful practices.
- Arab News Islam 12 September 2003
