Q 2: Is it lawful to play lotto? It is a form of gambling; when a person plays it and wins money, (Part No. 15; Page No. 219) is it lawful for them to take it?

A: It is Haram (prohibited) for a Muslim to gamble, whether they call it by the name mentioned in the question or any other name, as Allah has prohibited it in the Qur'an in general, and linked it to the prohibition of Khamr (intoxicants) in His saying, O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and Al-Ansâb, and Al-Azlâm (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitan’s (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful. Shaitân (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allâh and from As-Salât (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain? If you gamble and win money, it is Haram to use it; you should spend it in charity, whether by giving it to the poor and the needy, fixing the roads and so on. You should hasten to quit gambling, repent to Allah, regret the past and insist on not going back to it, so that Allah might accept your Tawbah (repentance). May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.