Silsilah as-Sahihah 1270 — Permissible games

Imam Sha’bi, who is a Tabi’i, narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) passed by some children playing a (particular Abyssinian) game and said: “O Banu Arfada! (i.e., people of Abyssinia!) Keep playing, so that the Jews and Christians may know that there is breadth in our religion.” They were playing when Sayyiduna ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) arrived, and when they saw him, they became frightened.