Sharʿī Ruling on Income from a Snooker Club
Question:
Is the income earned from a snooker club considered ḥalāl in Islam?
Answer by:
Shaykh ʿAbd al-Wakīl Nāṣir (ḥafiẓahullāh)
General Principle on Permissible Games:
- Permissible (jāʾiz) games are those which:
- Involve physical activity,
- Promote agility, discipline, and strength,
- Do not involve gambling or time-wasting.
Snooker as a Game:
- Snooker in itself is not inherently impermissible.
- However, its permissibility depends on how it is played or monetized.
When It Becomes Impermissible (ḥarām):
- If the snooker club is run as a business, and:
- Players pay fees with the intention of betting or gambling,
- The environment promotes time-wasting, laziness, or immoral behavior.
- If victory or defeat involves monetary rewards paid directly by the players (i.e., a form of qimār or gambling).
- If it distracts from religious obligations such as ṣalāh or becomes an addiction.
When It May Be Considered Permissible:
- If the snooker game is:
- Free from gambling,
- Not replacing religious duties,
- Played for recreation or skill,
- And the income comes from a neutral, legitimate fee structure,
- Then the business and its income may be ḥalāl.
Final Note:
The default ruling on business earnings depends on the nature and outcome of the activity involved.
If it leads to ḥarām practices, the income becomes impermissible.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ
