Playing game where player grabs random candy

2-1-2018 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalaamu alaykum. I just realised that when I was younger, I used to play at a game station where I would buy credits with some kind of card and then use my money inside to play with a machine which grabs candies. I control the machine and I get random candies (what the machine grabs). I feel like there is something wrong with this according to Islam. If yes, what should I do now? Am I liable for something? And this is an extra question; I am just wondering. If someone plays poker and gambling in a game (which I know is still a sin), but the money cannot be turned into a real money, is he liable for the virtual money that he gets from the game? Thank you.

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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, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

If the mentioned game involves paying a specific sum of money in return for a specific amount of candy that the player grabs from the machine, then it is permissible to play it. But if the player pays money and does not know the amount of candy he shall receive in return and he may or may not get the candy, then this falls under the prohibited gambling. If you had taken candy that is worth more than what you paid, you are required to return the extra money to the owners if possible; otherwise, you should give it out in charity. If you do not know the exact amount of the extra money, you should make an estimate and give out what you believe would most likely clear you of your liability.

As for the poker game, if the money the player wins is virtual and of no value, then he is not liable for it.

Allah knows best.