Short answer
Yes. Any bet where both sides put something up and the winner takes it is gambling (qimar), whether the stake is $5, a meal or a match ticket, and whether it is with friends or strangers. A prize offered by one side only, or by someone outside the contest, is not gambling and is allowed in lawful contests.
A two-sided wager is qimar and haram, however small the stake. A one-sided promise ("if you win, I'll buy you lunch", with nothing owed if I win) is permitted in lawful contests such as races, sports skills and knowledge contests, and so is a prize put up by a third party.
Other madhhabs
- Maliki
- When both contestants put up a prize, adding a third contestant who stakes nothing (a muhallil) does not make it lawful. The Hanafi, Shafi'i and Hanbali schools accept that arrangement.
- Shafi'i
- A contest prize is valid only in racing animals and in shooting, the skills of war, so in the main view a prize for a quiz or a game is not valid as a contest prize.
- Hanbali
- Prize contests are limited to racing animals and archery and what is close to them, so a prize for a quiz or a game is not allowed even from one side.
Explanation
Gambling (maysir or qimar) is any arrangement where each side risks something of value and one side's gain is the other side's loss. The size of the stake does not change it. "Loser pays for dinner", a $10 bet on the match, a pooled office sweepstake or a fantasy league where entry fees go to the winner are all qimar, even among close friends.
The Quran calls gambling "defilement from the work of Satan" (5:90). The Prophet ﷺ took it so seriously that he said whoever says to a friend "come, let me gamble with you" should give something in charity, as expiation for the words alone.
What is allowed:
- One-sided prizes. "If you beat me, I'll pay for your coffee", with nothing owed if I win.
- Third-party prizes. A parent, teacher, sponsor or company puts up a prize and the players pay nothing to enter.
- A contest with a muhallil. In the Hanafi school, two contestants who both put up a prize may add a third who stakes nothing and can win both prizes, so that no one is in a pure two-way bet.
The Prophet ﷺ allowed prizes in racing camels and horses and in archery. Hanafi jurists extended this to contests that build useful skill or knowledge, such as a Quran or fiqh competition, as long as the prize is not a two-sided stake.
If you have already won a bet, return the money to the person who lost it. If that is not possible, give it to the poor without hoping for reward. For gambling in general see Can a Muslim gamble?, and for prize draws see Are raffles haram?
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Maaida 5:90
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا ٱلْخَمْرُ وَٱلْمَيْسِرُ وَٱلْأَنصَابُ وَٱلْأَزْلَٰمُ رِجْسٌۭ مِّنْ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ فَٱجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٩٠﴾
O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.
Gambling of every size is named among the things believers must avoid.
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:219
۞ يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْخَمْرِ وَٱلْمَيْسِرِ ۖ قُلْ فِيهِمَآ إِثْمٌۭ كَبِيرٌۭ وَمَنَٰفِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثْمُهُمَآ أَكْبَرُ مِن نَّفْعِهِمَا ۗ وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَ قُلِ ٱلْعَفْوَ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلْءَايَٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَفَكَّرُونَ ﴿٢١٩﴾
They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, "In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit." And they ask you what they should spend. Say, "The excess [beyond needs]." Thus Allah makes clear to you the verses [of revelation] that you might give thought.
The sin of gambling outweighs any benefit people see in it.
Sahih al-Bukhari 4860
Sahih... من قال لصاحبه تعال أقامرك فليتصدق ...
"Whoever says to his companion, "Come, let me gamble with you," should give something in charity."
Even proposing a bet is a sin that needs expiation.
Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1700
Grading to be checked... لا سبق إلا في نصل أو خف أو حافر ...
"There is no prize except in archery, camel racing or horse racing."
Prizes in contests are allowed within limits, which is the basis for one-sided and third-party prizes.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Karahiya, section on racing (al-sibaq). A prize from one side or a third party is allowed; a prize from both sides is qimar unless a muhallil joins.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Hazr wa al-Ibaha, discussion of racing contests (al-musabaqa). Defines qimar and extends lawful prize contests to knowledge competitions.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.