Impermissible to Create a Platform for Gambling Games

21-4-2020 | IslamWeb

Question:

Is it good or not?
Let's say,
We are working to organizer Video Game Matches (e.g PUBG Mobile, COD Mobile and so on..).
We will provide a medium where Organizer can organize a match, Player can join the match after paying the entry fee.
Organizer will not deal with players directly; our company will deal with both equally and as per policy shown in the photo. All collection will be hold in company escrow account.
Each player will have full rights to leave the match before match begin, if player thinks he can not compete with players in the lobby. Full entry fee will be refunded.
Each player knows all the rules, and nothing is hidden all process flow of the business and cash is publicly visible, So there are no chances that someone’s rights will be lost/stolen.
Each player know that winner and runner up have reward, organizer has some percentage and the also company has some percentage.
Example:-
20 peoples joined the match by paying 100 each player.
Total Collection was made 20*100= 2000
Now 2000 will be divided as per policy.
We already discussed with two Mufti Sahibaan who said that there is no fatwa about that bcz, they also give and example that if 10 teams collect 1000 in cricket match and say winner will get the cash is ok in Islam.
And also our method is permissible, can you please confirm this.
We also get to know any competition, where all rules are clear and nothing is hidden and e everyone has equal rights, is permissible in Islam?

---

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad, is His slave and Messenger.

The games in which players pay money to be given to the winner among them fall into the category of gambling which Allah, The Exalted, prohibited in the Quran, as He Says (what means): {O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone altars [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful. Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So, will you not desist?} [Quran 5:90-91]

According to The Kuwaiti Fiqh Encyclopedia reads: “The Muslim jurists unanimously agreed on the prohibition of gambling. The Shaafi‘i scholars said that if it involves the condition that both sides pay money such that it would be given to the one who wins among them, then this is the prohibited gambling. They explicitly stated that it is a major sin in this case.” [End of quote]

Accordingly, it is impermissible to create a platform for gaming in the manner described in the question.

Allah Knows best.