Adab al-Mufrad

Benefits and Issues:
➊ From these narrations, it is understood that play and amusement are permissible for children. However, such games in which there is excessive waste of time, or there is a risk of developing a bad habit, or those that are explicitly prohibited in the Shariah, such as chess and the like, or if a permissible game involves betting and takes the form of gambling, then such games are forbidden.
➋ From this, it is understood that playing with walnuts or “bantay” (marbles) is permissible, but gambling on them or becoming so engrossed in them that it becomes a habit and continues even into adulthood is impermissible.
➌ It should be remembered that these games are for children. The modern-day games in which people waste their time excessively and millions are gambled are all impermissible.
➍ It is permissible for girls to play with dolls. Even though these are images (tasweer), in this form it is allowed; however, keeping dogs and bears (“bhalu” stuffed animals) in the house and entertaining children with them is imitation of non-Muslims. And the Salaf used to prohibit their children from playing with dogs, as has been mentioned from the statement of Ibrahim al-Nakha’i rahimahullah.