1) Young Muslims - The Message

Q: Why are playing Cards (even with no intention ofgambling) counted as Haraam?Playing cards is not permitted, even if there is no money involved,because it distracts people from remembering Allah (Dhikr) andfrom prayer. Although people who play card initially claim that theydo not want to gamble, but it eventually may lead to gamblingwhich is made forbidden in the Qur’an. Allah says (interpretation ofthe meaning):“Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and Al-Ansaab (stone altars for sacrifices to false gods) and Al-Azlaam(arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination ofShaytaan’s (Satan’s) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that(abomination) in order that you may be successful” [Al-Maa’idah5:90]--Sheikh Muhammad Salih Al-MunajjidQ: Is there any guidance in Islam about playingChess?Chess become haraam, according to the consensus of the scholars,when it prevents us from fulfilling our obligations, both inwardlyand outwardly. Chess distracts us from the following obligatoryduties:• Daily prayers,• Attending to the need of family or self-improvement• Enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil,• Upholding ties of kinship or honoring one’s parents,• Obligations connected to positions of authority orleadership, etc.The evidence of the Qur’an is the words (interpretation of themeaning):Young Muslims, What they should know about Islam Page - 280