REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA- It is now customary for people to bet on races at every sporting event. From betting on races in football matches, boxing to freestyle wrestling.
However, race betting in the above sports according to Sheikh Abu Bakar Jabir Al-Jazeera in Minhajul Muslim is a sport that is prohibited from betting on races. This is in accordance with the prophet Muhammad SAW who only justifies three sports, namely camel racing, horse racing and archery for the race to be held. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
There is no race except in the foot-flapping, nailed and archery animals.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, al-Nasaa’i, and al-Tirmidhi
Referring to the hadith above, Islam only allows the three sports mentioned by the Prophet to hold a race. While other sports such as swimming, marathons to smart scrutiny are not allowed.
It should be understood that the prize (which is permissible) awarded to the winner in the above races is a prize from a third party (not from the contestant). If it comes from each participant then the law is haram.
The ability of race bets on camel races, horse racing, and archery is said to be because these three sports have an impact on jihad. But if it is divided into current conditions, tank and aircraft competitions could be a substitute for horse and camel races. So according to Shaykh Abu Bakr Al-Jazeera, it is permissible to take a race over him because it is influential in the war.
Race betting organizers in permissible sports also take precedence over governments, social institutions, and donors. This is to avoid various sub hats and maintain the purity of purpose to encourage the activities of bad (preparation) for jihad.
‘We’ve heard about phone calls but we’ve given strict orders to the players not to pick up any of the people they don’t know. And if they suspect anyone or anything, we’ve told them to let us know right away,” he said.