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Buying discount vouchers is gambling: Fatwa

Any department or institution, be it public or private, would rather refrain from buying and then gifting these discount voucher booklets to its staff, scholars affirmed.

Dubai — Buying a shopping coupon book is sort of gambling which is completely banned in Islam, according to an official fatwa issued on Thursday by the Supreme Scholars Committee in Dubai.

Any department or institution, be it public or private, would rather refrain from buying and then gifting these discount voucher booklets to its staff, scholars affirmed.

The committee, falling under the department of Islamic affairs and charitable activities in Dubai, stated that these booklets are sold against a high price due to the discounts offered. “Several discount coupons in it may be useless to some people, and hence they will be risking or wasting their money against a service that is not really needed.”

The committee, chaired by Dr Hamad Al Shaibani, Director-General of the Islamic department, said these coupons may be valid only for a certain time.

A full year may pass without using these coupons, they pointed out. “This is definite gambling and no entity is entitled to waste its money on such shopping coupon booklets.”

On the other hand, a staff may accept these coupon booklets if gifted to him as long as he is not risking money. “However, he’d rather give it up and remain safe.”

The booklet offers discounts and attractive perks on dining, entertainment, health, beauty services and retail.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com