Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman Azmi (رحمہ اللہ)
Games involving gambling or compensation (‘awad) generally fall into two categories:
① Games Played for Compensation or Reward:
If the game is played for compensation, there is no doubt about its prohibition. Accepting or giving compensation in such games is considered consuming people’s wealth through false means, which is a form of gambling (qimar). The harmful and sinful nature of gambling is well-known and acknowledged.
Allah Almighty mentions the prohibition of gambling alongside intoxicants, idols, and divining arrows in the following verse:
"O you who have believed, indeed intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it 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?"
[Surah Al-Ma'idah: 90-91]
This verse highlights how gambling is equated with major evils like idol worship and alcohol, emphasizing its dangerous effects on society.
② Games Played Without Compensation:
Even when games are played without compensation, they often lead to other harmful behaviors, such as:
Reference: [Al-Lajnah Ad-Daimah: 432]
Games involving gambling or compensation (‘awad) generally fall into two categories:
① Games Played for Compensation or Reward:
If the game is played for compensation, there is no doubt about its prohibition. Accepting or giving compensation in such games is considered consuming people’s wealth through false means, which is a form of gambling (qimar). The harmful and sinful nature of gambling is well-known and acknowledged.
Allah Almighty mentions the prohibition of gambling alongside intoxicants, idols, and divining arrows in the following verse:
"O you who have believed, indeed intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it 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?"
[Surah Al-Ma'idah: 90-91]
This verse highlights how gambling is equated with major evils like idol worship and alcohol, emphasizing its dangerous effects on society.
② Games Played Without Compensation:
Even when games are played without compensation, they often lead to other harmful behaviors, such as:
- Insulting and cursing one another,
- Lying and making false oaths,
- Engaging in verbal abuse and taunts,
- Harboring enmity, jealousy, and the desire to dominate others.
Why Is It Prohibited?
The primary reason for the prohibition of gambling and games with similar consequences is that they involve elements of the devil’s work, as stated by Allah. The goal of Satan is to sow hatred and enmity among people and distract them from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. Unfortunately, these undesirable effects are commonly observed in gatherings centered around such games.Reference: [Al-Lajnah Ad-Daimah: 432]