Q: Is it permissable to enter a competion by sending the answer of the competion question by sms which will cost R2.00? I don't know if this money goes towards the prize or this is the rate for sending an sms to that special number. We are actually paying the R2.00 for the sms and not towards the prize.
A: When one enters a competition via sms, then part of the cost of the sms goes to the company or business that is offering the competition and the prize. This we have ascertained from the people who provide these short code services. It is a money-making scheme all round. Hence when you send in your entry you are actually paying money towards the prize. This is on the same level as gambling and usury, so Haraam.
Mufti Siraj Desai
A: When one enters a competition via sms, then part of the cost of the sms goes to the company or business that is offering the competition and the prize. This we have ascertained from the people who provide these short code services. It is a money-making scheme all round. Hence when you send in your entry you are actually paying money towards the prize. This is on the same level as gambling and usury, so Haraam.
Mufti Siraj Desai
