House Prize draw

Question:

Assalaamualaikum,

There is a House Prize draw called "Omaze". I am aware that it is impermissible to spend money to enter, although most of the money goes to charity, because some of it goes to Omaze and marketing fees etc.

They have an option where you can enter for free by sending them a postcard with your details and the name of the prize draw. Would spending money on buying an envelope and postage stamp make it impermissible to enter in this way?

Answer: 

Wa alaikum Salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu 

If one has to pay in order for one to be included in a prize-draw, then that is, without doubt, gambling, hence unlawful, your understanding is correct in this regard. 

However, if entry into the prize-draw is free and no money is demanded, then that would not constitute gambling, hence permitted. The reason for this is that one is not placing any wealth at stake in order to obtain a prize or award.

It would be permissible to enter into this draw in your case as they are not charging you anything here, but a thing to note here is there may not be a ticket or a charge to enter but they may charge you greatly for other things like the postal charge etc to facilitate the acquisition of the prize. If such is the case, it will be counted as gambling, making it haram. 

And Allah knows best

Mufti Umer Farooq Saleem