A R C H I V E S
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| Nadeem |
| 05/20/04 at 09:26:59 |
| [slm] I'm currently working my way through a book called "The Spectacle of Death, Including Glimpses of life beyond the Grave" by K.M. Islam. Its quite an interesting book, the book's title being self explanatory of its contents. It relies mostly on hadiths told in relation to this subject. Unfortunately it doesn't provide referencing of which hadiths are from where. I have just got to a section (p.149 if anyone has the book) which says that the Prophet forbade the playing of chess. Does anyone know if this is accurate? I was confused because I tried to envisage in what capacity would chess be seen as something which required forbidding, and was unsuccessful. Perhaps this is due to my own limitations of perception. In any case, any thoughts would be appreciated. Jazakallah khair [wlm] |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| zanfaz |
| 05/20/04 at 10:12:23 |
| [wlm] Here are some of the rulings about playing chess according to hanafi school, http://www.sunnipath.com/resources/Questions/qa00002582.aspx http://www.sunnipath.com/resources/Questions/qa00000742.aspx some rulings according to shafii school, http://www.sunnipath.com/resources/Questions/qa00003220.aspx http://www.sunnipath.com/resources/Questions/qa00003343.aspx |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| Nadeem |
| 05/20/04 at 10:46:33 |
| [slm] Thanks for the links, brother. I always thought chess was a game of strategy, helped you with logical thinking, etc. I haven't played chess myself in many years (probably the last time was maybe 15-20 years ago). It seems that the reasoning behind it (according to the links you posted) seems to be: a) that chess is the "gambling of the arabs". b) it is a waste of time. On point a) I've never witnessed or been party to a game of chess which involved any betting or money changing hands. Is this what the Arabs used to do at the time of the Prophet [saw]? ??? On point b), there are many activities that could be construed as a waste of time, I wonder why chess was singled out? Does this mean only chess, or also checkers, and other board games like monopoly and scrabble (both of which have good educational value)? [wlm] |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| bhaloo |
| 05/24/04 at 00:31:28 |
| [slm] Brother Nadeem, here is a more detailed answer from Sheikh Munajjid then the answers that were previously listed and insha'Allah might be able to address your concerns and clear up the confusion, taken from islam-qa.com. http://63.175.194.25/index.php?ln=eng&ds=qa&lv=browse&QR=14095&dgn=4 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. |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| kashifs |
| 05/25/04 at 00:50:00 |
| Assalamua'alaikum, Chess is not dice...scholars are human beings. Prophet [saw] refering to dice not chess it seems at glance to postings prior. According to wastage to time then all tv and radio should be avoided as most of it is waste of time, even news portion we end up watching lots of stuff not relative. Must putting anyone down as Islam does not need modernizing, it needs contextualizing and clear reasoning with some autonomy to use ones own Hiqma. As I teach teenagers as Musjid camps and well don't do this, don't do that, don't don't don't does not ring as strongly in North America it would in Saudi Arabia or Pakistan. I prefer to focus on priorities like don't dance, don't have girlfriend...do join healthy sports, keep ones mind busy, and get involeved with socially beneficial work. I don't wish to seem a shallow hypocrite(or little knowledge is dangerous types) but we need justifications for actions or opinons(fatwas) that can be put in touch with our north american environment where playing chess hardly seems an evil. Compared to things I see around me in Toronto. like many bearded Hafizes and Madressa scholars Smoking(I have written article on 10 ways it is Haram) eating and spitting Phaan(cultural baggage as Islam would not allow mild narcotic in many paans) as well as tremendous swear words of the most profane manner. Please reply in a dialogue manner, as I am also a student of Islam and how can on call chess haram as certain prior posting implied(in reference to throwing dice) ;-) |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| ltcorpest2 |
| 05/25/04 at 10:11:34 |
| this is an interestng topic. Would a sport that someone gets heavily involved in be the same as chess? Such as soccer, people get heavily involved in that. Would that make it haraam also? If a soccer game. lets say the olympics or world cup, was played and it was during a prayer time would that be allowd or not? |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| kashifs |
| 05/25/04 at 11:10:08 |
| Assalamua'alaikum, I know in America where heavy sweat sports like basketball often played in mixed Muslim and non-Muslim teams....I heard that often during specific prayer times people simply stop playing the game, Wudhu , pray and then return back continue the game. Islam is simple....during fasting month I read articles how Nigerian soccar teams , Hakeem Olajewan(famoust basketball player) and others simply fast through their practices and games....now that is great physical conditioning and dedication to ones ideals at same time. :o) |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| timbuktu |
| 05/25/04 at 11:42:27 |
| [slm] I used to play chess and cards in my teens and twenties From experience I know that one gets absorbed in these games, and neglects other duties. If only one could make sure of attending to one's obligations and duties, and if it were free of gambling, it would be permissible, I think. But the ifs are BIG ifs. |
| 05/25/04 at 11:43:53 |
| timbuktu |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| Nadeem |
| 05/25/04 at 12:47:13 |
| [slm] Jazakallah for all the replies so far, and especially to bhaloo and Faizan for links. I would like to return to the original reason which made me begin this post which was the reading of the K.M. Islam book. The hadith in this book which refers to chess is very graphic. I would have liked to post an excerpt from the hadith except that I think it may be unsuitable for some of the younger board members in terms of its severity. Suffice to say, according to the book, people who play chess face a dreadful fate upon their death. On first reading I felt this to be strange. I thought "Why should playing a game which appeared to me to be as harmless as chess warrant such an extreme penalty?". The links some of the brothers posted were useful, yet still I feel that if this hadith is accurate, then I am missing the crucial reasoning behind the forbidding of chess. I think if I understand correctly, the banning of chess is due to the fact that some people lose thoughts of all other things than the game they're playing and hence this causes them to forget prayers and the rememberance of Allah. If this is the reasoning behind this ruling, then wouldnt other activities, contemporary activities come under the remit of this reasoning, e.g. spending too long on internet, chatrooms, watching TV and/or movies, etc. I assume games such as sporting activities are exempt from this? Also there is the factor of playing games where gambling is involved. With this part I see no difficulty of understanding. [wlm] |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| Abu_Hamza |
| 05/25/04 at 13:18:18 |
| [slm] Br. Nadeem, in case you don't know this already, the book that you are reading (Spectacle of Death) has many weak and spurious ahadith. So read it with a grain of salt. Most scholars say that using weak ahadith is allowed for purposes of targheeb and tarheeb (i.e. encouraging people to do extra good deeds and scaring them from the punishment of Allah). However, they cannot be used to derive ahkaam shar'ee (legal rulings such as haram, halal, makrooh, mandoob) independent of authentic texts. Wallahu a'lam. Abu Hamza |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| Nadeem |
| 05/25/04 at 13:34:23 |
| [slm] Brother Abu Hamza, I wasn't aware of which hadiths in the book were weak or not, but jazakallah for pointing that out to me. I did wonder why there was no referencing of any hadiths in it. ??? [wlm] |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| humble_muslim |
| 05/26/04 at 10:20:25 |
| AA Jut to throw a spanner in the works... a few years ago, I read a long article about this in one of the "hard core" salafi newspapers, Al Huda I think. Anyway, it quoted some of the top salafi scholars (someone like Shiekh Uthameen, maybe even Sheikh Albani, can't remember exactly who) saying that chess was ok as long as it didn't interfere with obligations, and some other common-sense conditions. Also, the first head of the Islamia School in London, Dr Baig, was a chess player if that means anything. |
| NS |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| Nabila |
| 05/27/04 at 11:29:24 |
| [slm] I'd just like to know why you said Dr. Baig 'was' a chess player rather that 'is' a chess player? More on topic, I believe Sheikh Yusuf Qaradawi in 'Halaal wal Haraam fil Islam' says that chess is not prohibited as long as it does not take up a disproprotionate amount of the individuals time. I was also wondering why chess is considered 'lahw' or a useless waste of time? I would have thought that chess is a game that hones ones logic, skill, and foresight, rather than being detrimental to them - anyone have any ideas? ma asalaamah and take care |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| timbuktu |
| 05/27/04 at 14:04:59 |
| [slm] those who have played chess regularly will confirm that one gets so engrossed in it that other things are neglected. as I related my experience earlier, i was into chess and playing cards, and I forgot anything else, and this was the same for those I played with or observed playing. So, it is lahw, as is cricket or soccer today; or for the US, it would be SuperBowl, I guess. |
| 05/27/04 at 14:06:41 |
| timbuktu |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| Nabila |
| 05/28/04 at 07:55:09 |
| [slm] If we look at it so broadly, then couldn't anything that is classified as entertainment or relaxation be considered lahw? Cricket and soccer and beneficial to a person's health. Chess sharpens the mind. Isn't it just common sense to keep things in their place, and strive for a balance in one's life? The Prophet (saw) encouraged sports amongst his companions, and there is a hadith in which he repeated three times 'there is a time for this and a time for that'. Almost anything can take over a persons life to the extent that they forget their prayers and family and so on. I suppose you just have to keep your priorities straight. Opinions? ma asalaamah and take care |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| timbuktu |
| 05/28/04 at 08:18:00 |
| author=lady_murasaki_sa [quote]If we look at it so broadly, then couldn't anything that is classified as entertainment or relaxation be considered lahw? Cricket and soccer and beneficial to a person's health. Chess sharpens the mind. Isn't it just common sense to keep things in their place, and strive for a balance in one's life? The Prophet (saw) encouraged sports amongst his companions, and there is a hadith in which he repeated three times 'there is a time for this and a time for that'. Almost anything can take over a persons life to the extent that they forget their prayers and family and so on. I suppose you just have to keep your priorities straight. Opinions?[/QUOTE] precisely why chess was forbidden! I have yet to come across a person who could put this in its place, but if one can, then I guess it would be OK. Have you ever seen a muslim cricket player say: "sorry, time for salah. I have to stop now for a few minutes." At work, and in meetings muslims ahve gathered up the courage to say that, but at play, I wonder. To be truthful, we have very weak eemaan these days. Official meetings, lunchtime, favorite soap on TV, anything but attention to what is appropriate and necessary. I know from experience. Or maybe I get myself aborbed in these distractions. |
| 05/28/04 at 08:18:55 |
| timbuktu |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| yumna |
| 06/05/04 at 08:54:42 |
| ...so conclusion is chess haraam ...?? i really like chess ..but i should change my likes if it is really haraam ..i mean i don't do any betting or any wrong in it while playing .....neither do i let it divert my attentionm from prayer or anything ... |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| timbuktu |
| 06/05/04 at 10:56:58 |
| [slm] if chess does not divert you from prayers and your other duties, and if it sharpens your mind or provides some relaxation, then it is OK, although I am not a mufti. |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| Abu_Hamza |
| 06/06/04 at 02:27:37 |
| [slm] [quote author=timbuktu link=board=lighthouse;num=1085056019;start=10#17 date=06/05/04 at 10:56:58]if chess does not divert you from prayers and your other duties, and if it sharpens your mind or provides some relaxation, then it is OK[/quote] [quote]although I am not a mufti.[/quote] But what you just said was a fatwa akhi :) |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| jannah |
| 06/06/04 at 03:18:25 |
| [wlm] I think he was summarizing the thread for yumna and not making a fatwa!!! my only point is why would anyone wanna play chess anyway!!! its so boringgg...and the same for golf... and then there's people that sit there and watch this stuff on TV for HOURS?? mannnn how bored must you be ;) |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| timbuktu |
| 06/06/04 at 06:27:24 |
| [quote author=jannah link=board=lighthouse;num=1085056019;start=10#19 date=06/06/04 at 03:18:25]my only point is why would anyone wanna play chess anyway!!! its so boringgg...and the same for golf... and then there's people that sit there and watch this stuff on TV for HOURS?? mannnn how bored must you be ;)[/quote] no jannah, it is not boring. One forgets everything else when one is absorbed in it. Chess trains you to plan ahead for certain goals and according to some set rules, and to foresee possible difficulties and plan for them too. It has its utility, as have cards games like bridge, but both have the disadvantage of taking over the individual. I know, :) I excelled in both, although now I would be bored, but that is because almost everything bores me now. |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| yumna |
| 06/06/04 at 08:23:56 |
| ;D :Dsooooooooooooo true bro timbaktu!!!!!!111 it sharpens ur maths and its soo interesting !!!!!!! i learned it about 5 years ago but m still a lousy player ...........................still i like it :-[ |
| Re: Playing chess forbidden by the Prophet?? |
|---|
| humble_muslim |
| 06/07/04 at 12:55:08 |
| AA Hey, another bridge player! I was captain of my high school team in England. I used to love playing it, and still do when I get the chance. But it takes a long time, and you need a lot of people. And I'm too busy checking out the latest threads on this board! |
| NS |
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board |