Ruling on playing chess, games with dice and other games

[Um Abdullah M.]

assalamu alaykum

Games between what is lawful and what is prohibited


Question:
I read a hadeeth which says, “Whoever plays with dice, it is as if he dipped his hand in the flesh and blood of a pig.” And I read that what this means is that playing with dice is haraam. So an important question came to my mind, namely,
Are all kinds of games haraam, even if they are beneficial? Especially since there are Islamic games which are based on use of dice. Are all these games haraam? Or does the prohibition apply only to specific games? Please explain this matter, may Allaah reward you with good?

Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

Games fall into two categories:

The first category is games which help in jihaad for the sake of Allaah, whether that is physical jihaad (fighting) or verbal jihaad (i.e., knowledge), such as swimming, shooting, horse-riding, and games which involve developing one’s abilities and Islamic knowledge, etc. These games are mustahabb and the one who engages in them will be rewarded so long as his intention is good and he seeks to support the religion thereby. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Shoot, O Bani Adnaan, for your father was an archer.” Shooting or archery includes by analogy all similar actions.

The second category is games which do not help in jihaad. These are of two types.

The first type is games which are specifically forbidden in the texts, such as playing with dice as mentioned in the question. These games should be avoided by the Muslim.

The second type is games which are neither enjoined nor forbidden in the texts. These are of two kinds:

The first kind is games which include something that is haraam, such as games that involve statues or images of living beings, or which are accompanied by music, or games which lead to arguments and conflicts among people and result in their saying or doing something bad. These come under the prohibition because of the haraam consequences to which they lead or because they are a means to something that is haraam. If something is the means that usually leads to something that is haraam, then we should refrain from it.

The second type is games which do not involve anything haraam, and which usually do not lead to it, like most of the games we see of football (soccer), volleyball and table-tennis etc. These are permissible, subject to the following restrictions:

1 – They should be free of gambling, i.e., betting between the players.

2 – They should not form an obstacle to the obligatory remembrance of Allaah, or to prayer, or to any obligatory act of worship, such as honouring one’s parents.

3 – They should not take up a lot of the player’s time, let alone taking up all of his time or causing him to be known among the people for that, or becoming his job, because then there is the fear that the aayah (interpretation of the meaning) “Who took their religion as an amusement and play, and the life of the world deceived them. So this Day We shall forget them” [al-A’raaf 7:51] may become applicable to him.

The last condition does not have a set limit, but should be referred to what is customary among the Muslims; whatever they regard as excessive is not allowed. A person should set a limit for the time spent playing and for the time spent in serious pursuits; if (the time devoted to playing) is half or one-third or one-quarter, then this is too much.

And Allaah knows best.



Shaykh Khaalid al-Maajid (Faculty Member, College of Sharee’ah, Imaam Muhammad ibn Sa’ood Islamic University)..

Islam Q&A

-------------------------------------------------


Ruling on playing backgammon


Question:
[COLOR="darkred"]What is the ruling on playing backgammon?. [/COLOR


Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

It is not permissible to play backgammon because it involves the use of dice which are haraam and emphatically forbidden, because of the report narrated by Muslim (2260) from Buraydah (may Allaah be pleased with him), according to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever plays with dice, it is as if he dipped his hand in the flesh and blood of a pig.”

Dice are the small cubes on which numbers are written and they are played with.

Al-Nawawi said in his commentary on Muslim: … This hadeeth is quoted as evidence by al-Shaafa’i and the majority of scholars for the prohibition on playing with dice. What is meant by “dipping his hand in the flesh and blood of a pig” is if he were to eat them, so this prohibition (on dice) is likened to the prohibition on eating (the flesh and blood of a pig). End quote.

Abu Dawood (4938) and Ibn Maajah (3762) narrated from Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever plays with dice has disobeyed Allaah and His Messenger.” Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

It was also narrated by Ahmad (19519) in the words: “Whoever plays with cubes (dice) has disobeyed Allaah and His Messenger.” Classed as hasan by al-Arna’oot in Tahqeeq al-Musnad.

These ahaadeeth indicate that it is haraam to play with dice, so every game which involves playing with dice is also haraam, and that does not apply only to backgammon.

Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said in al-Mughni (10/171): Chapter on games: Every game which involves gambling is haraam, no matter what game it is. It is the gambling which Allaah has commanded us to avoid, and the one who does that on a regular basis, his testimony is to be rejected. That which is free of gambling is the game in which there is no payment by both sides or either side. Some of these games are haraam and some are permissible. That which is haraam is games with dice. This is the view of Abu Haneefah and most of the companions of al-Shaafa’i. End quote.

Al-Zayla’i narrated that there was consensus that it is haraam to play with dice. Tabyeen al-Haqaa’iq (6/32).

It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (15/210): It is not permissible to play with dice even if that does not involve prizes, especially if it distracts one from praying on time. So it is essential to refrain from doing that, because it is the kind of entertainment that is haraam. End quote.

This is the ruling on playing backgammon in general. If in addition it involves betting, false oaths or distracting people from prayer, then it is even more haraam.

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A

[Um Abdullah M.]

Ruling on playing chess


Question:
I wana ask if chess(the type played now a days)is allowed in islam or not?


Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

“When chess distracts us from what we are obliged to do both inwardly and outwardly, it is haraam according to the consensus of the scholars – such as when it distracts from an obligatory duty such as prayer or anything that is necessary in the interests of oneself or one’s family, or enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, or upholding ties of kinship or honouring one’s parents, or any obligations connected to positions of authority or leadership, etc. In this case it is haraam according to the consensus of the scholars. Similarly, if it involves anything that is haraam such as telling lies, swearing false oaths, cheating, wrongdoing or helping in wrongdoing, or other forbidden things, then it is haraam according to the consensus of the Muslims.” (Adapted from Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 32/218, 240).

But if it does not distract us from our obligations or involve anything that is haraam, then there is a difference of scholarly opinion concerning the ruling. The majority of scholars (Abu Haneefah, Maalik, Ahmad and some of the companions of al-Shaafa’i) said that it is also haraam, basing that view on the evidence of the Book of Allaah and the opinions of the Sahaabah.

The evidence of the Qur’aan is the words (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and Al-Ansaab [stone altars set up for sacrifices to idols etc], and Al-Azlaam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaytaan’s (Satan’s) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful.

Shaytaan (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allaah and from As-Salaah (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain?”

[al-Maa’idah 5:90-91]

Al-Qurtubi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “This aayah indicates that it is haraam to play dice or chess, whether that involves gambling or not, because when Allaah forbade alcohol He explained the reason for that, which is ‘Shaytaan (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allaah and from As-Salaah (the prayer).’ So every kind of game in which a little leads to a lot and stirs up enmity and hatred between those who are devoted to it and prevents them from remembering Allaah and praying, is like drinking alcohol, which implies that it must be haraam like alcohol.” (al-Jaami’ li Ahkaam al-Qur’aan, 6/291).

With regard to the views of the Sahaabah:

It was narrated that ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him) passed by some people who were playing chess. He said, “What are these images, to which you are devoted? [cf. al-Anbiya’ 21:52]” Imaam Ahmad said: “The soundest comment on chess what that which was said by ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him).”

‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) was asked about chess and he said, “It is worse than dice.”

“Dice” refers to what is used nowadays for playing backgammon, which is played on a special table. It was narrated in the ahaadeeth that it is haraam.

Abu Dawood (4938) narrated from Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever plays dice has disobeyed Allaah and His Messenger.” (Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 4129)

Muslim (2260) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever plays dice is like one who has dipped his hand in the flesh and blood of a pig.” Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “This hadeeth is quoted as evidence by al-Shaafa’i and the majority of scholars to prove that playing dice is haraam. The phrase ‘dipped his hand in the flesh and blood of a pig’ refers to eating it, and this simile is used to show that this is haraam because it is haraam to eat that.”

What some of the scholars have said about the prohibition of chess:

Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “Chess is like dice in that it is forbidden.” (al-Mughni, 14/155),

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “The evil consequences of chess are greater than the evil consequences of dice. Everything that points to the prohibition of dice points to the prohibition of chess even more so… This is the view of Maalik and his companions, of Abu Haneefah and his companions, of Ahmad and his companions, and the view of the majority of the Taabi’een… It is not known that any of the Sahaabah permitted it or played it. Allaah protected them from that. Everything that is attributed to any of them and says that he played it – such as Abu Hurayrah – is a fabrication and lie against the Sahaabah and is rejected by anyone who knows how the Sahaabah really were and by anyone who has sufficient knowledge to examine the reports critically. How could the best generation and the best of mankind after the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) permit playing something that prevents people from remembering Allaah and from praying, and is worse in this regard than alcohol when the player gets immersed in it, as we see in real life? How could the Lawgiver forbid dice but permit chess, which is many times worse?…” (al-Furoosiyah, 303, 305, 311).

Al-Dhahabi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “With regard to chess, most of the scholars say that it is haraam to play it, whether that is for money or not. If it is played for money then it is indisputably gambling. Even if it is not played for money it is still gambling and haraam, according to most of the scholars… al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about playing chess, is it forbidden or permissible? He (may Allaah have mercy on him) replied that if it makes a person miss praying on time or he plays for money, then it is haraam, otherwise it is makrooh according to al-Shaafa’i and haraam according to others…” (al-Kabaa’ir, 89-90).

For more information see Tahreem al-Nard wa’l-Shatranj wa’l-Malaahi by al-Aajurri, ed. By Muhammad Sa’eed Idrees.

And Allaah knows best. We ask Allaah to help us to do that which He loves and which pleases Him, and to help us to obey Him.

May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad.

Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

[JayshAllah]

Something always bothered me about this. If chess is Haram for distracting, then what about games like Counter Strike???

I've read one scholarly opinion in which he said that these games were forbidden because they were played for money. In other words, saying "playing with dice" was synonymous with gambling. I mean, what if you played backgammon without money?

Anyways, not passing a fatwa...just musing.

I mean, think about this: most computer games operate using "dice" in which the computer automatically decides the odds and picks random numbers.

What about a game like Risk?

[Um Abdullah M.]

I do not know the game counter strike nor risk.

but as for games with "dice", especially backgammon which was known since long time ago, please reread the first post, their is a sahih hadith on it, and their is agreement amongest scholars on it.
so no question about it.

as for chess, seems majority saw it as haram, but a few saw it to be makrooh, and some shaikhs today see it permissable if it doesn't include gambling, or playing for long hours, and neglecting obligations like salat and other things, wallahu a'lam.

I mean, think about this: most computer games operate using "dice" in which the computer automatically decides the odds and picks random numbers.


like what games?
there are many computer games that are not with dice or like dice, in many of them you have to use your brain and speed to solve it not luck.

what I understood from fatwas regarding dice, is that the part of the wisdom behind it being forbidden is that it has to do with luck, you win by luck.

I know this is difficult for many, but this is something that scholars are in agreement upon, and their is clear hadith on it, I mean the dice games, especially backgammon.

and we have to accept Allah's ruling on it.
there are many games that do not include dice, mostly computer ones.

[morbius]

like what games?
there are many computer games that are not with dice or like dice, in many of them you have to use your brain and speed to solve it not luck.


Proccessors for the last 30 years have random number generators which a lot of games use heavily. All RPG games use them, but not only them. For instance, Counter Strike uses them to calculate trajectory of a bullet, because bullets in this game do not fallow exactly the same path, instead their path is randomized in accordance to the recoil of the weapon. So, luck does play a part in CS, although it is basically a game of skill.

Since today is raining heavily here and I'm not doing much this weekend I would invite you to play a game of Civilization 4 with me, but from what I can read here, it is not allowed to you. Shame really, you could play as one of the great Muslim rulers (Mehmed the Conqueror, Musa Mansa, Saladin) while I would take Isabella of Spain or Peter the Great. We could re-create some history.

[melo061]

Proccessors for the last 30 years have random number generators which a lot of games use heavily. All RPG games use them, but not only them. For instance, Counter Strike uses them to calculate trajectory of a bullet, because bullets in this game do not fallow exactly the same path, instead their path is randomized in accordance to the recoil of the weapon. So, luck does play a part in CS, although it is basically a game of skill.

Since today is raining heavily here and I'm not doing much this weekend I would invite you to play a game of Civilization 4 with me, but from what I can read here, it is not allowed to you. Shame really, you could play as one of the great Muslim rulers (Mehmed the Conqueror, Musa Mansa, Saladin) while I would take Isabella of Spain or Peter the Great. We could re-create some history.


Your cheap shot attempts are getting really lame. I mean, you seriously need to come up with better material.

[JayshAllah]

there are many computer games that are not with dice or like dice,

This is not true. I did my undergrad in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, so I can tell you with certainty that virtually *all* computer games (99% of them) use "dice". Please read the post below which is actually accurate:

Proccessors for the last 30 years have random number generators which a lot of games use heavily. All RPG games use them, but not only them. For instance, Counter Strike uses them to calculate trajectory of a bullet, because bullets in this game do not fallow exactly the same path, instead their path is randomized in accordance to the recoil of the weapon. So, luck does play a part in CS, although it is basically a game of skill.


Your cheap shot attempts are getting really lame. I mean, you seriously need to come up with better material.

Actually, he is 100% correct on the fact that computer games all use "dice".

[JayshAllah]

but this is something that scholars are in agreement upon

Sister, did you not read in the fatwa in which it said:

"But if it (chess) does not distract us from our obligations or involve anything that is haraam, then there is a difference of scholarly opinion concerning the ruling."


and their is clear hadith on it, I mean the dice games, especially backgammon.

"Playing dice" usually refers to gambling.

[gag order]

playing with dice refers to games of chance, what relation it has to games of skill or a battle of wits (strategy) such as chess needs further explanation..

computer games on the other hand, especially role playing and strategy genres, are they games of chance in which the ruling with playing dice is applicable? it matters not how many billions of calculations a GPU peforms to enable the game since these calculations are not based on chance but mathematics to carry out pre-determined actions should you choose to do them with mouse clicks. besides even if computers games were unlike 'playing with dice' there is enough content within those games to make them prohibited...

[morbius]

Actually, he is 100% correct on the fact that computer games all use "dice".

I'm used to be called a liar when I tell them the truth. Nothing new, really.

Anyway, if one of you guys decides that it is permissible to play Civilization 4 (Warlords expansion) I am still available tomorrow afternoon, a chance which might not come again soon. It would give you an opportunity some of you crave – a chance to kick my butt. :) But be warned, I'm pretty good. Civilization is an amazing game, one that I would recommend to anybody.

[Um Abdullah M.]

Sister, did you not read in the fatwa in which it said:

"But if it (chess) does not distract us from our obligations or involve anything that is haraam, then there is a difference of scholarly opinion concerning the ruling."

bro that is chess, and chess does not include dice in it.
I was speaking about games that use dice.

and the scholars mentioned as a wisdom behind prohibiting it is that it includes luck , one wins by luck, and if what you mean by "dice", when speaking about computer games, is what bro gag explained, it has nothing to do with playing or winning by luck does it?
the dice we are speaking about is the cube with numbers from 1 to 6, which makes winning the game by luck.
and many computer games are not won by luck, but by speed and brain work.


"Playing dice" usually refers to gambling.

bro, your using an English term , the hadith is in Arabic.
if you read the fatwa again you will see that scholars of Islam prohibiting it whether it included gambling or not.
it is haram completely, because of the hadith.

[Umm Ahmed]

SubhanAllaah we played bingo when we were small , first for sweets then for money , Bingo is huge all over the world , it used to be a grannies game but now you get all ages and both genders trying their luck .

What about snakes and ladders and games like fustration ker plunk and the like where you need to throw a dice ?

[JayshAllah]

the dice we are speaking about is the cube with numbers from 1 to 6,

So if the dice is shaped differently, does it become Halal?

If the dice is numbered 1 to 4 instead of 1 to 6, does it become Halal?

What about a coin, which has two sides?

If the computer simulates the dice, then does it become Halal?

which makes winning the game by luck.
and many computer games are not won by luck, but by speed and brain work.

Sister, you are not understanding this point, perhaps because you have no background in computers. But please try to understand--or at least accept my words--that computer games ALL use "dice". Almost ALL of them. And they use them for every second of the game!! You just don't know this because you've never done computer programming before...but the very basis for these games IS simulated dice!!

Suppose you are playing a shoot em up game like "Doom"...now a lay-person might claim that this is a game based on skill and not on "dice", but this would be incorrect. Each and every bad guy is designed based on "dice" simulators. When the computer decides if the bad guy will move closer to you or away from you, this is all decided by dice...each step is by a randomly generated number. It is the very basis of almost ALL computer games.

bro, your using an English term , the hadith is in Arabic.

Point granted. Just musing. I don't know enough to pass a fatwa. I'm just expressing my areas of concern, not arguing that I am correct.

----------------------------

OK now, some of you are claiming that it is a matter of if the game is based on luck or rather on skill. Then what about games like Risk? This is a game based on SKILL and STRATEGY, but dice *are* used. However, if you have more armies, you get to use more dice...so your probability of winning increases according to your strategy...dice only create variability in the game. It's very different than the dice used in a game like Monopoly or Parcheesi (called "Ludo" in Urdu), in which the game requires no brains but just luck of the dice. In Risk, the dice represent the strength of your army. So the more armies you bring, the more dice you get, and the more chance you have of winning.

[JayshAllah]

I'm used to be called a liar when I tell them the truth. Nothing new, really.

Anyway, if one of you guys decides that it is permissible to play Civilization 4 (Warlords expansion) I am still available tomorrow afternoon, a chance which might not come again soon. It would give you an opportunity some of you crave – a chance to kick my butt. :) But be warned, I'm pretty good. Civilization is an amazing game, one that I would recommend to anybody.

I am also a Civ fanatic. I love Civ 4. Do you post on Civ Fanatics Forum? I posted for awhile there under the user name "Salah-Al-Din".

[abu_ibrahim]

It would give you an opportunity some of you crave – a chance to kick my butt. :)

Don't worry, that can be easily arranged. You just need to give me your address :)

[JayshAllah]

I'd like somebody to answer my question about a game like Risk: the game of world conquest? Is that really Haram? C'mon now.

[melo061]

This is not true. I did my undergrad in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, so I can tell you with certainty that virtually *all* computer games (99% of them) use "dice". Please read the post below which is actually accurate:






Actually, he is 100% correct on the fact that computer games all use "dice".

Comprehension isn't your thing eh?

I was saying he was taking shot at Muslim/islam on such a ridiculous issue. He probably doesn't even play it or barely does but he mentions it because it's an issue he can take a shot on muslims.

[Skillganon]

This is not true. I did my undergrad in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, so I can tell you with certainty that virtually *all* computer games (99% of them) use "dice". Please read the post below which is actually accurate:


If is correct I think the case where it is there to mimick unexpectancy, unpredictability on part of CPU (make it more real). Like give a randomize selection on already set of reactions to a specific action/s.

I will not call this exactly playing dice. I think it is games that are more based on the term luck rather than Skill, strategy that are prohibited.

Let's not make something that is simple into something complicated.

[JayshAllah]

Comprehension isn't your thing eh?

Hmmm, I don't know. I actually did fairly well on my SATs.

I was saying he was taking shot at Muslim/islam on such a ridiculous issue. He probably doesn't even play it or barely does but he mentions it because it's an issue he can take a shot on muslims.

I haven't seen any of his other posts. I'm sure based on those that you are right in the sense that his intentions are not pure. However, I was just saying that he is right about his post on computers.

---------------------------------------
Anyways, I'd like to clarify my stance on the issue: I *do* believe that playing chess and backgammon is Haram. That is not my issue. My issue is only with the implications of that ruling. If chess is banned due to the fact that it wastes time, then I can say that there are a million things today that waste more time, so should those be banned as well?

In regards to dice, I have a question about that too: Is playing a game like Risk Haram because you use dice, although it is not the basis of the game? The game is based on pure strategy and skill, with dice thrown in only to create game play variability to simulate real life variability.

And the same question I extend to computer games.

Anyways, let me comment on this post below:

If is correct I think the case where it is there to mimick unexpectancy, unpredictability on part of CPU (make it more real). Like give a randomize selection on already set of reactions to a specific action/s.

I will not call this exactly playing dice. I think it is games that are more based on the term luck rather than Skill, strategy that are prohibited.

Now my question is: Is the bolded part really correct? If so, then I have no problem with the ruling and it makes total sense.

---------------

Back to the initial question about chess/backgammon, well I can understand why backgammon is Haram since it is based on pure winning/losing and gambling or a game associated with that. As for chess, I can even understand the prohibition of that, because I have heard from chess players as to how this is a strange game that takes over the mind, and people become obsessive about it like nothing else. It becomes an obsession for intelligent people, wasting their time when that intelligence could be used for more important matters. Furthermore, it is a bit like the prohibition on pig. Some Muslims say that pig is forbidden because it is unhealthy; of course, this leads to the question: what about the more unhealthy foods like chocolate? However, our religion stipulates that there are certain things which are explicitly forbidden, and we must stay away from those, but we do not have to delve into the reasoning behind that nor can we arbitrarily ban other things (such as chocolate) using such logic.

Anyways, it's really the implications of this ruling that I am wondering about. What is the scope of this prohibition: yes, chess and backgammon are Haram because there are explicit texts about that. But what about (1) other games that waste time, such as cricket which is a national past-time in Pakistan and many religious folks (even Maulanas and Imams) in Pakistan waste entire days watching that. And (2) what about games that use some dice (such as Risk or computer games) but that are not based on luck but rather on strategy/skill and the dice are only used for variability/randomizing?

[Um Abdullah M.]

bro JayshAllah, do we look like scholars to you who give fatwas?

I posted a general fatwa.
now you know that regular non computer games that use dice are haram, as for computer games and that stuff you said, is it really like the "non computer games" dice?

I don't know, but it doesn't sound like it to me, wallahu a'lam.

you must ask a shaikh about it, someone who has more knowledge.

an example of a game that isn't based on luck is chinese checkers, it doesn't use dice in board game, and it doesn't in computer game either, it is not based on luck, you need to use your brains to try to win.

as for games mixed with brain work and luck, I don't know, you have to ask a scholar about that.

[morbius]

I am also a Civ fanatic. I love Civ 4. Do you post on Civ Fanatics Forum? I posted for awhile there under the user name "Salah-Al-Din".

No, I hardly have time to play, much less to spend time on that forum, although there are many interesting things one can read there.
Saladin used to be my favorite leader, but unfortunately in Warlords expansion he was switched from spiritual/philosophical to spiritual/defensive, which made him the weakest leader one can choose.
We must play sometime. Send me a PM saying in which time zone you are and when do you have free time. We should be able to arrange something.

[gag order]

If is correct I think the case where it is there to mimick unexpectancy, unpredictability on part of CPU (make it more real). Like give a randomize selection on already set of reactions to a specific action/s.

I will not call this exactly playing dice. I think it is games that are more based on the term luck rather than Skill, strategy that are prohibited.

Let's not make something that is simple into something complicated.

i agree..


playing with dice refers to games of chance, what relation it has to games of skill or a battle of wits (strategy) such as chess needs further explanation..
computer games on the other hand, especially role playing and strategy genres, are they games of chance in which the ruling with playing dice is applicable? it matters not how many billions of calculations a GPU peforms to enable the game since these calculations are not based on chance but mathematics (physics processing) to carry out pre-determined actions should you choose to do them with mouse clicks..

<!-- / message --><!-- edit note -->
however i am not convinced by this argument...yet:

that computer games ALL use "dice". Almost ALL of them. And they use them for every second of the game!! You just don't know this because you've never done computer programming before...but the very basis for these games IS simulated dice!!

Suppose you are playing a shoot em up game like "Doom"...now a lay-person might claim that this is a game based on skill and not on "dice", but this would be incorrect. Each and every bad guy is designed based on "dice" simulators. When the computer decides if the bad guy will move closer to you or away from you, this is all decided by dice...each step is by a randomly generated number. It is the very basis of almost ALL computer games.

[alghayb]

I play Chess (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess), as long as it doesn't interfere with my obligatory duties, but this is another part to my daily Jihad in life - it is good for me and makes me remember what is truly important.

I gave up Poker (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_hold-em) upon becoming Muslim due to it's monetary gambling. Before that I used to play but with no money involved but I came to see Poker as a game of lying, cheating, deceiving and chance, whereas Chess is a game of skill, mental stability, offence, defence and intelligence, above all it is honest and a test.

I see now that Chess is very much like day to day life in respect of being a Muslim and within the Deen of Islam, whereas I see Poker as fitting in very well with my previous life as a Kafir. I suppose I can say I now see my life as a Muslim being akin to a game of Chess whereas my life as a Kafir was akin to that of Poker.

See the Fatwa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatwa) below.

Question: As-Salamu `alaykum! Is it allowed to play chess in Islam? - Fatiha, Morocco

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503543132

Answer: Yusuf Al-Qaradawi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yusuf_al-Qaradawi)

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear sister in Islam, thanks a lot for your question which reflects your care to have a clear view of the teachings of Islam. Allah commands Muslims to refer to people of knowledge to get themselves well-acquainted with the teachings of Islam.

In his well-known book, The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam, the prominent Muslim scholar, Sheik Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, states:

"Chess is a very popular game, and the opinion of jurists concerning it varies. Some scholars consider it halal (permissible), others consider it makruh (reprehensible), and still others consider it haram (unlawful).

Those who consider it haram cite some hadiths in support of their view, but researchers have proved that chess did not appear until after the death of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Thus all such hadiths must have been fabricated.

The Companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them all) themselves held different views about playing chess. Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said that it is worse than backgammon and `Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) regarded it as gambling (perhaps meaning when it is played for money), while some others merely expressed disapproval of it.

However, some Companions and some of the second generation of scholars allowed it. Among those were Ibn `Abbas, Abu Hurayrah, Ibn Sirin, Hisham bin `Umrah, and Sa`id Ibn Al-Musayyib. We agree with those great jurists, since the original principle is the permissibility of acts and no text is to be found prohibiting it.

Moreover, in addition to being a game and a recreation, chess is also a mental exercise which requires thought and planning. In this respect, it is the opposite of backgammon, for while backgammon is a game of chance and therefore comparable to divining with arrows, chess is a game of skill and strategy, which may be compared to archery.

However, playing chess is permissible only if the following conditions are met:

1- One should not get so absorbed in it that he delays his prayer; chess is well-known to be a stealer of time.

2- There should be no gambling involved.

3- The players should not utter obscenities or vulgarities.

If any of these conditions are not met it should be considered as haram."

You can also read:

Islam and Recreation (http://www.islamonline.net/fatwa/english/FatwaDisplay.asp?hFatwaID=61592)

May Allah guide you to the straight path, and direct you to that which pleases Him, Amen.

[morbius]

http://blogs.warwick.ac.uk/images/lblackwell/2005/03/01/thread_necromancer.png

It seems you also like this game of magic cards. :)

[greenshirt]

i remember upon reverting to islam, i asked my imam about chess, because i used to play chess.

he said that there was a difference of opinion, but he said that chess today is not the same as chess was back then. back in the time of the prophet(saws), people played a persian style of chess, where they would use a dice, and it was really not a game of thinking, but rather a game of coincidence. chess has since evolved, and now days is much different then what it was before.

he therefore said that since chess was different today, and not a game of chance but a game that requires thinking, that he believes it is halal, as long as people do not spend too much time playing it. however, he said that he encourages people to not play it anyways, because it is better to be on the safe side.

i have played chess once since my reversion, and that is it!

[islamic@rebel]

Those who consider it haram cite some hadiths in support of their view, but researchers have proved that chess did not appear until after the death of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Thus all such hadiths must have been fabricated.

[UmmAbdulMalikStorm]

Maaaaaaaan.

I just bought cluedo!

I heard dice games are haram ages ago, dunno why i cant accept it. I still force people to play monopoly with me. What shall i do?????

[alghayb]

http://blogs.warwick.ac.uk/images/lblackwell/2005/03/01/thread_necromancer.png

It seems you also like this game of magic cards. :)

Unlike some, I have the ability to search a forum for a topic, and thus adding to one that has already been established, rather than cluttering a forum up with a rediculous number of threads on the same topic. Just makes sense to me... hey, that's why the search option it their!

[alghayb]

UPDATED 23 June 2008:

Whilst Sheikh M. (Muhammad) S. (Saleh) Al-Munajjid (http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1119503615103&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaCounselorE%2FFatwaCounselorE), states the following (http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503546822):

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear questioner, thank you very much for having confidence in us, and we hope our efforts, which are purely for Allah's Sake, meet your expectations.

It is important for a Muslim to know the value of his time, for indeed time is life. A Muslim should not waste his time in things that do not bring him closer to Allah, in things that will not serve as a contribution to the betterment of his people, his society and mankind in general. We should keep in mind that everyone needs some leisure activities to relax after hard work, but a Muslim should not fill his life with leisure.

Playing pool or billiards is permissible as long as there are no violations to the Islamic rules governing the issue.

In his response to the question, the prominent Saudi Muslim lecturer and author, Sheikh M. S. Al-Munajjid, states the following:

"To begin with, I would like to stress that one of the righteous successors or the salaf passed by some people who were playing and said, “I wish that time could be bought with money, then I would buy these people’s time!”

Yes, for those great men, the hours of the day were not enough for research, study and serious work; they used to sleep and eat less so that they would not be wasting time.

Now, we see the youth, unfortunately, wasting the best years of their life with play and leisure. We do not want our young brothers to regard as forbidden the kinds of leisure and play that Allah has permitted them to do, but we wish that this would not be the thing with which they are preoccupied night and day, and that they would look for a game that will benefit them mentally and physically and help them develop their skills.

Second, playing pool billiards in most clubs and in bars is not permissible, not because the game itself is haram (forbidden), rather because these places involve many haram things such as swearing, neglecting prayer, gambling, and drinking alcohol, and playing in them involves keeping quiet about evil with no need to stay in these places.

As for playing this game in places where no evil things are present, there is nothing wrong with that, but that is subject to conditions, for example:

1- There should be no betting.

2- There should be no swearing, name-calling, mockery or hatred.

3- It should not lead to missing obligatory duties such as prayer, seeking knowledge, and looking after one’s family, teaching them and disciplining them.

Most of the jurists, including Imam Ibn Taymiyah, regarded chess as haram, and those who allowed it did so only if these conditions are met. When we think about youth and the way they play, we will see that these conditions are hardly ever met.

Imam Ibn Taymiyah said concerning chess – and his words may be applied to pool, billiards and other games that young people play today:

"What is meant is that when chess distracts people from their duties, whether inwardly or outwardly, then it is haram according to scholarly consensus. The fact that it distracts people from fulfilling their duties properly is so obvious as to need no explanation. The same applies if it distracts people from duties other than prayer, such as taking care of oneself or one’s family, or enjoining that which is good and forbidding that which is evil, or upholding the ties of kinship, or honoring one’s parents, or fulfilling one’s duties with regard to public office, etc."

It rarely happens that a person involves himself with these games and they do not distract him from some duty. It should be noted that there is scholarly consensus on the prohibition in such cases.

Similarly, if the game involves something that is haram or leads to something haram, then it is haram according to scholarly consensus, such as if it involves lying, false oaths, cheating, or wrongdoing or helping in wrongdoing. That is haram according to the consensus of the Muslims, even if it is in a race or contest, so how about if it is chess or dice and the like?

The same applies if it involves some other kind of evil, such as getting involved in something that may lead to immorality, or cooperating in aggression, etc., or if the game attracts too many people, which leads to neglecting an obligatory duty or doing something haram. This kind of game and others like it are things that the Muslims are agreed are haram.

(Majmu` Al-Fataawa, 32/218)

With regard to the loser being the one who has to pay the table rent, this is a kind of gambling, which is haram because Allah says, “O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and Al Ansab, and Al Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful. Satan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from the prayer. So, will you not then abstain?” (Al-Ma’idah: 90-91)

The basic principle is that the rental of this game – if it is free of haram elements – should be paid by all the players. But when the players agree that the loser will pay for himself and others, and the winners will not have to pay anything, this is what is called sabaq or prize money and it is like betting on the game. This is not permissible according to the Shari`ah, except where that has been narrated in a text in cases having to do with developing skills that are useful for Jihad because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “There is no sabaq except in archery, horse-racing and camel-racing.” (Reported by At-Tirmidhi, 1700; classed as authentic by Al-Albani)

That applies only to archery competitions and horse and camel racing, and the scholars drew analogies to other skills that are useful in Jihad. Some also allowed competitions that have to do with Islamic knowledge, as such competitions support Islam such as Jihad with the sword, if not more so."

Excerpted with slight modifications from www.islam-qa.com

I state the below and folow with other Fatwas

I play Chess (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess), as long as it doesn't interfere with my obligatory duties, but this is another part to my daily Jihad in life - it is good for me and makes me remember what is truly important.

I gave up Poker (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_hold-em) upon becoming Muslim due to it's monetary gambling. Before that I used to play but with no money involved but I came to see Poker as a game of lying, cheating, deceiving and chance, whereas Chess is a game of skill, mental stability, offence, defence and intelligence, above all it is honest and a test.

I see now that Chess is very much like day to day life in respect of being a Muslim and within the Deen of Islam, whereas I see Poker as fitting in very well with my previous life as a Kafir. I suppose I can say I now see my life as a Muslim being akin to a game of Chess whereas my life as a Kafir was akin to that of Poker.

See the Fatwa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatwa) below.

Question: As-Salamu `alaykum! Is it allowed to play chess in Islam? - Fatiha, Morocco

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/S...=1119503543132

Answer: Sheikh (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh) Yusuf Al-Qaradawi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yusuf_al-Qaradawi)

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear sister in Islam, thanks a lot for your question which reflects your care to have a clear view of the teachings of Islam. Allah commands Muslims to refer to people of knowledge to get themselves well-acquainted with the teachings of Islam.

In his well-known book, The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lawful_and_the_Prohibited_in_Islam), the prominent Muslim scholar, Sheik (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh) Yusuf Al-Qaradawi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yusuf_al-Qaradawi), states:

"Chess is a very popular game, and the opinion of jurists concerning it varies. Some scholars consider it halal (permissible), others consider it makruh (reprehensible), and still others consider it haram (unlawful).

Those who consider it haram cite some hadiths in support of their view, but researchers have proved that chess did not appear until after the death of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Thus all such hadiths must have been fabricated.

The Companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them all) themselves held different views about playing chess. Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said that it is worse than backgammon and `Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) regarded it as gambling (perhaps meaning when it is played for money), while some others merely expressed disapproval of it.

However, some Companions and some of the second generation of scholars allowed it. Among those were Ibn `Abbas, Abu Hurayrah, Ibn Sirin, Hisham bin `Umrah, and Sa`id Ibn Al-Musayyib. We agree with those great jurists, since the original principle is the permissibility of acts and no text is to be found prohibiting it.

Moreover, in addition to being a game and a recreation, chess is also a mental exercise which requires thought and planning. In this respect, it is the opposite of backgammon, for while backgammon is a game of chance and therefore comparable to divining with arrows, chess is a game of skill and strategy, which may be compared to archery.

However, playing chess is permissible only if the following conditions are met:

1- One should not get so absorbed in it that he delays his prayer; chess is well-known to be a stealer of time.

2- There should be no gambling involved.

3- The players should not utter obscenities or vulgarities.

If any of these conditions are not met it should be considered as haram."

You can also read:

Islam and Recreation (http://www.islamonline.net/fatwa/english/FatwaDisplay.asp?hFatwaID=61592)

May Allah guide you to the straight path, and direct you to that which pleases Him, Amen.

Sheikh Dr. Sano Koutoub Moustapha (http://www.islamonline.net/livefatwa/english/Guestcv.asp?hGuestID=aZGfk3) says here (http://www.islamonline.net/livefatwa/english/Browse.asp?hGuestID=aZGfk3):

"All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
“Islam stands for the permissibility of games with the following guidelines:
1. The game should be beneficially to the person. It should bring to him that which is good not that which is harmful.
2. The games should not hinder the person from observing his religious obligations.
3. The games should not be leading to any haram or prohibited actions.
With these three conditions, the games should be allowed.
Allah Almighty knows best."

Sheikh Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqui (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muzammil_H._Siddiqi) says here (http://www.islamonline.net/livefatwa/english/Browse.asp?hGuestID=t3m44m):

"There is no prohibition in playing chess if it doesn't involve gambling and if it doesn't take your prayers or any other of your religious obligations. Some people mention a hadith on the prohibition of shatranj. This hadith is not accepted by hadith authorities. Imam Ibn Taymiyyah has discussed that in his fatawa in some detail. Historically, we know that shatranj (chess) did not exist at the time of the Prophet (SAAWS). It was probably invented somewhere in India in the 9th or 10th century of the common era."

[suhail]

"Mujahid Akhi Sheikh Abdul-Aziz ibn Myatt "

when did Brother Ibn Myatt became 'mujahid' and sheikh'?

[alghayb]

"Mujahid Akhi Sheikh Abdul-Aziz ibn Myatt "

when did Brother Ibn Myatt became 'mujahid' and sheikh'?

Stick to the topic at hand please. Any questions deviating from the topic, towards me, should be done via PM.

[nobody]

Question: Is it permissible to play chess?

Answered by Sheikh Salman al-Oadah
Playing chess for money is unlawful. If it is played merely for recreation, then we cannot say it is unlawful. It is wrong to try to compare chess with intoxicants and gambling by arguing that chess, like those vices, is "an abomination of Satan’s handiwork", a cause for hatred and dispute, and a hindrance from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer.

Allah says, regarding alcohol and gambling: "O you who believe, indeed intoxicants, gambling, stone alters, and divination are abominations of Satan's handiwork, so avoid them that you may be successful. Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?" [Sûrah al=Mâ’idah: 90-91

If this game brings about such ill affects, then it should certainly be prohibited. However, I personally know some people who play chess while strictly guarding their prayers, refraining from arguing and avoiding all bad language.

As for becoming distracted from the remembrance of Allah, this is something common to all games and activities, as most work completely occupies the minds of those engaged in it. In spite of this fact, we see that most activities are lawful, while some are preferred, and still others are obligatory. Some of these activities, like horse riding, fencing, and industrial arts and crafts, have been classified as a collective duty on society, because at one time or another societies were or still are in need of those skills.

http://www.islamtoday.com/show_detail_section.cfm?main_cat_id=75&q_id=33

[Yousef al Khattab]

Playing with Dice: Backgammon

Any sort of game played with money which has an element of gambling is haram. The Qur'an classifies gambling in the same category as drinking, idolatry, and divining with arrows. The Prophet (peace be on him) said, "He who says to his friend, 'Come, let us gamble,' must give charity (sadaqah)" (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim), meaning that merely to invite someone to gamble is a sin requiring penance.

Playing backgammon while betting with money is clearly haram Some scholars consider it haram even if no betting is involved, while others consider it makruh rather than haram. Those who consider it haram base their judgemeon the hadith transmitted by Baraidah in which the Prophet (peace be on him) said, "He who plays with dice is like the owho handles the flesh and blood of swine." (Reported by Muslim, Ahmad and Abu Daoud.)
The same scholars cite the hadith from Abu Musa al-Ashari in which the Prophet (peace be on him) said, "He who plays with dice disobeys Allah and His Messenger." (Reported by Ahmad, Abu Daoud, Ibn Majah, and Malik in his Al-muwatta.)
These two sayings of the Prophet (peace be on him) are clearly applicable to all players of backgammon, whether they gamble in playing or not.

Al-Shawkani says that Ibn Mughaffal and Ibn al-Musayyib allowed playing with dice if it did not involve gambling, apparently interpreting the above ahadith to refer to those who played for money.

[Yousef al Khattab]

Playing Chess

Chess is a very popular game, and the opinion of jurists concerning it varies. Some consider it halal, others makruh, and still others haram. Those who consider it haram cite some ahadith in support of their position, but researchers have proved that chess did not appear until after the death of the Prophet (peace be on him), thus all such ahadith must have been fabricated.

The Companions of the Prophet (May Allah be pleased with them) themselves held differing views about playing chess. Ibn 'Umar said that it is worse than backgammon and 'All regarded it as gambling (perhaps meaning when it is played for money), while some others merely expressed disapproval of it.

However, some Companions and some of the second generation scholars allowed it. Among these were Ibn 'Abbas, Abu Hurairah, Ibn Sirin, Hisham bin 'Umrah, and Sa'id bin al-Musayyib. We agree with these great jurists, since the original principle is the permissibility of acts and no text is to be found prohibiting it. Moreover, in addition to being a game and a recreation, chess is also a mental exercise which requires thought and planning. In this respect it is the opposite of backgammon, for while backgammon is a game of chance and therefore comparable to divining with arrows, chess is a game of skill and strategy which may be compared to archery.

However, playing chess is permissible only if the following three conditions are met:

1.

One should not get so absorbed in it that he delays his salat; chess is well-known to be a stealer of time.
2.

There should be no gambling involved.
3.

The players should not utter obscenities or vulgarities.

If any of these conditions are not met it should be considered as haram.


http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Books/Q_LP/ch4s3pre.htm#Playing%20with%20Dice:%20Backgammon

[godf]

This is a bit off topic.

What about professional sports people? Is that allowed under Islam? They'd have to devote a lot of their time to it. But people often have to devote a lot of time to their profession. When does it become counted as a profession? If you wanted to be a professional, you'd have to devote a lot of time to playing as an amateur before you could take it up as a profession.

[Yousef al Khattab]

This is a bit off topic.

What about professional sports people? Is that allowed under Islam? They'd have to devote a lot of their time to it. But people often have to devote a lot of time to their profession. When does it become counted as a profession? If you wanted to be a professional, you'd have to devote a lot of time to playing as an amateur before you could take it up as a profession.

Welcome godf as per your question:

RECREATION AND PLAY

Islam is a practical religion, it does not float in the stratosphere of imaginary ideals but remains with the human being on the ground of realities and day-to-day concerns. It does not regard people as angels but accepts them as mortals who eat food and walk in the marketplace. Islam does not require of Muslims that their speech should consist entirely of pious utterances, that their silence should be a meditation, that they should listen to nothing except the recitation of the Qur'an, nor that they should spend all their leisure time in the mosque. Rather, it recognizes that Allah has created human beings with needs and desires, so that, as they need to eat and drink, they also need to relax, and to enjoy themselves.


"A Time for This and a Time for That"

Some of the Companions of the Prophet (peace be on him) attained great spiritual heights. They believed that in order to remain at such a spiritual level they should always be serious, engaged in constant worship, turning their backs on all the enjoyments of life and the good things of the world, neither playing nor relaxing but keeping their eyes and their minds fixed on the Hereafter and its concerns, away from common life and its amusements.

Let us listen to what this great Companion and scribe of the Prophet (peace be on him), Hanzalah al-Usaidi, has to say about himself: Abu Bakr met me and asked, 'How are you, Hanzalah?' I replied, 'Hanzalah has become a hypocrite.' He said, 'Subhanallah! What are you saying?' I replied, 'When we are with Allah's Messenger (peace be on him), he mentions the Fire and the Garden until it is as if we can see them. But when we leave the Prophet's company and play with our wives and children or busy ourselves with our properties, we forget much.' Abu Bakr said, 'By Allah, I have experienced the same thing.' He and I then went to visit the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him), and I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, Hanzalah has become a hypocrite.' He asked, 'And how is that?' I replied, 'O Messenger of Allah, when we are with you, you talk about the Fire and the Garden until it is as if we can see them. Then we go out and play with our wives and children and deal with our properties, and we forget much.' The Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) then said, 'By Him in Whose hand is my soul, if you were to continue at the same level at which you were when with me and in remembering Allah, the angels would shake hands with you when you are resting and when you walk about, but, O Hanzalah, there is a time (for this) and a time (for that).' He repeated this phrase three times. (Reported by Muslim.)


The Humanness of the Messenger of Allah

The life-pattern of the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) is a perfect example for every human being. When he was in private he would worship his Lord with such intense devotion, standing for long hours in salat, that his feet would become swollen; in matters pertaining to truth or justice he did not care about anyone's opinion, seeking only the pleasure of Allah. But in his living habits and dealings with people he was a human being, enjoying good things, participating in small talk, smiling and joking, yet never departing from the truth. The Prophet (peace be on him) liked happiness and disliked grief; he sought refuge with Allah from difficulties and troubles which result in sorrow, supplicating, "O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from distress and grief" (Reported by Abu Daoud.)

Concerning his sense of humor, it is reported that once an old woman came to him, saying, "O Messenger of Allah, pray to Allah that He admit me to the Garden." The Prophet (peace be on him) said, "O mother of such a person, no old woman will enter the Garden." The woman broke down and wept, supposing that she would not enter Paradise. The Prophet (peace be on him) then explained to her that no old woman would enter the Garden as an old woman, for Allah would restore her youth and admit her to the Garden as a young virgin. He then recited to her the verse, We created them as a (new) creation, and made them virgins, lovers, friends. (56: 35-37) (Reported by 'Abd bin Humaid and al-Tirmidhi.)


Relaxing the Mind

Following the Prophet's example, his noble and pure Companions also enjoyed humor and laughter, play and sport, which relaxed their bodies and minds and prepared them the better to travel on the long, arduous path of striving in the cause of truth and justice. 'All bin Abu Talib said, "Minds get tired, as do bodies, so treat them with humor," and "Refresh your minds from time to time, for a tired mind becomes blind." And Abu al-Darda said, "I entertain my heart with something trivial in order to make it stronger in the service of the truth."

Accordingly, there is no harm in the Muslim's entertaining himself in order to relax his mind or refreshing himself with some permissible sport or play with his friends. However, the pursuit of pleasure should not become the goal of his life so that he devotes himself to it, forgetting hie religious obligations. Nor should he joke about serious matters. It has been aptly said, "Season your conversation with humor in the same proportion as you season your food with salt."

The Muslim is forbidden to joke and laugh about other people's values and honor. Allah Ta'ala says: O you who believe, let not some people mock at other people; it may be that they are better than thee...(49:11) Nor is it appropriate for the Muslim to tell jokes based on what is untrue in order to make people laugh. The Prophet (peace be on him) warned against this, saying, "Woe to the one who says something which is false in order to make people laugh! Woe to him, woe to him!" (Reported by al-Tirmidhi.)

To Read More on the subject of sports or other Islamic jurisprudence please click here (http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Books/Q_LP/ch4s3pre.htm#Permissible%20Sports)

You are also more than welcome to join us or political analysis here (http://www.revolutionmuslim.com)

Fine Regards