Competition where the loser pays

Question and Answer:

Q. My golf friends insist on playing a competition where the loser buys lunch. No cash exchanges hands but the loser picks up the bill at the golf course. Is this permissible?

A. No. This is not permissible. (Raddul Muhtar, Vol: 6, Pg: 403, Darul Fikr, Tabyeenul Haqa’iq)

وحرم لو شرط المال من الجانبين بأن يقول إن سبق فرسك أعطيتك كذا، وإن سبق فرسي فاعطني كذا

And Allah Knows Best

Mufti Suhail Tarmahomed

Fatwa Department
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians