The Evils of Gambling
02-06-2008
By a Student of Darul Uloom,
CONTENTS:
INTRODUCTION
THE DEFINITION OF GAMBLING
THE PROHIBITION OF GAMBLING
THE NOBLE SAHAABAH'S SPIRIT OF OBEDIENCE AFTER THE ORDER OF PROHIBITION
CROSSWORD PUZZLES
THE PRIZE WINNING TICKETS OF (CAR) SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS
HORSE RACING
LOTTERY
INTRODUCTION
Gambling has unfortunately become an acceptable practise in Muslim Society due
to its wide scale promotion by the media. A large number of good Muslims are
also caught in the web, not realising that they are gambling and that the
earnings from the gambling are haraam.
The following is a translation of a scholarly article by the late Mufti Muhammad
Shafi rahmatullahi alaihe which is being published to make Muslims aware of the
different forms of transactions and other items which are classified in Shar'iah
as gambling.
THE DEFINITION OF GAMBLING
Every transaction in which gain and loss is obscure is known as Qimaar' and 'Maisar'
in the Shar'iah terminology, and as 'Juwa' in the Urdu language. For instance,
if two people compete in a race with the following conditions, that if you
surpass me, then I will give you a thousand pounds and if I surpass you then you
will have to give me a thousand pounds. Or if someone says, 'If it rains today
you will have to give me a thousand pounds and if it does not rain then I will
give you a thousand pounds.'
Likewise if some packed boxes are being sold for a fixed price, for example four
pounds per box and some of the boxes have contents with a value of five pounds
with others containing a value of two pounds, then the purchase of these boxes
will be Qimaar. Because of the obscurity of the gain and loss. There are
numerous methods of gambling and in every age and region, gambling has been
played in different forms and methods.
There was a certain procedure amongst the Arabs for gambling. There would be ten
arrows, each with a special name, all having different shares allocated to them,
for example, one share, two shares, three shares, etc. There would also be some
without a share at all. They would then jumble the arrows and ask someone to
pick an arrow for each person. Whichever arrow was picked out for a person, that
would be his allocated share and thereafter would be considered the owner of it.
On the other hand, whosoever happened to acquire a share-less arrow he would
receive nothing at all. The custom, which went hand in hand with this, was that
a camel would be slaughtered and distributed according to the shares entitled to
them by the arrows. A person who was unlucky would not only be deprived of the
camel meat but he would also have to pay for that camel. This kind of gambling
has been labelled Maisar and Azlaam by the Qur'aan. Maisar is that particular
camel which is slaughtered and distributed because of gambling and Azlaam are
the arrows that are used to define the amount of the shares in gambling. Apart
from this, gambling was prevalent in trade in different forms. They were known
as Mulamasa and Munabaza, etc., the prohibition of which is present in the
Ahaadith of the Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam.
Before the advent of Islam, gambling was not only customary but also taken to be
a cause of pride, nobility and honour. For excessive show of pride, these people
would distribute their share of the winnings amongst the poor. (Tafseer-ul-Kabeer
Lir-Razi vol 2 p231)
THE PROHIBITION OF GAMBLING
As Islam plays a moderate role in worship, similarly it plays a role in
economics and social orders. How can Islam, the moderate way of life, cope with
a state where one can take possession of somebody else's property without any
valid reason, due to which, the latter gets poorer and his state diminishes and
the former, without working, gathers the wealth equivalent to that of Qaroon (Korah,
a kaafir whom Allah bestowed with great wealth at the time of Musa alaihis
salaam)? Alternatively, without any religious excuse, a great amount of wealth
is taken from the poor people's pocket and a single person is made to own it.
Therefore, it was vital for Islam to prohibit these unfair ways of taking
possessions. For this reason the open mindedness of the all-encompassing
religion, Islam, took consideration and concern of the human passions. When
alcoholic drinks and gambling were intended to be banned, their prohibition was
not revealed immediately, but firstly all the disadvantages concerning them were
made clear. Once these were totally engraved into their hearts, then the laws of
prohibition were revealed.
In the early days of Islam the Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam was questioned
regarding the permissibility of gambling and alcohol. The first verse that was
revealed regarding this, is in Surah Baqarah which is as follows:
"They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say, 'In them is great sin and
some benefit for men; but the sin is greater than the benefit." (Qur'aan
2:19)
In the above aayah, the permissibility and non-permissibility of wine and
gambling is not clarified. Soon after understanding the tone of discountenance
in the verse, the highly ranked companions of the Holy Prophet sallallahu alaihe
wasallam abstained from them. On the other hand, Muslims in general were still
involved in them and the Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam had not said
anything that indicated their prohibition, until Allah revealed the following
verse:
"O believers! Intoxicants and gambling, worshipping stones and divination by
arrows are impure, of shaytan's handiwork: refrain from such abomination that ye
may prosper. " (Qur'aan 5:90)
In this verse, the total prohibition of alcoholic drinks and gambling has been
clearly revealed. Its prohibition has been mentioned with such assurance that
Imaam Razi rahmatullahi alaihe states as follows:
"Firstly, the Arabic word 'innama' has been placed in the beginning of the
verse. In Arabic, this creates emphasis on what is mentioned afterwards.
Secondly, these prohibited things have been classified as being 'rijs' (impure),
from which natural disposition abstains. Thirdly, they have been branded as
satanic acts. Fourthly, their severity has been categorised in the same level as
idol worshipping (shirk) in the sense that they all are links of a single
chain."
After mentioning that these all are 'rijs' (impure), Allah Ta'ala orders:
"Keep away from them."
Allah Ta'ala does not terminate the subject here, but He carries on mentioning
their religious and worldly harm in the following aayah. Allah, the Almighty
states conclusively that shaytaan wants to ruin our worldly life and the life of
the Hereafter. These forbidden things, (alcohol and gambling), lay the seeds of
hatred and hostility between human beings. These evil outcomes are innumerable.
Their habit distracts a man from obligatory duties such as salaah and the
remembrance of Allah.
May Allah protect all the Muslims from their evil.
THE NOBLE SAHAABAH'S SPIRIT OF OBEDIENCE AFTER THE
ORDER OF PROHIBITION
Generally, habits and old customs that become part of a person's temperament are
almost second to human nature. This was a time of great trial when, up to now,
these sinful acts were part of their life and nobility, but today, they became
expressly prohibited. This period is of a great importance for the Muslim Ummah
in Islamic history.
It is amazing that, on one hand, there was the concern of human feelings and
habits in the Shari'ah, and on the other hand, there was a great desire in the
Ummah to obey the revealed commandments.
After the revelation of the above mentioned verse, Rasoolullah sallallahu alaihe
wasallam sent out a caller to proclaim:
"Behold, alcoholic drinks (intoxicants) have been made haraam."
It was the cry of the caller or perhaps a lightning which immediately changed
their habits and feelings.
Intoxicants were very popular among the Arabs. They were manufactured and
imbedded almost in every home and to drink had, so to speak, become a mark of
advancement in culture. As soon as the announcement was made, the people who
were greatly addicted to it and who regarded it a virtue and sign of social and
cultural eminence and who would spend lavishly in the state of drunkenness from
which the poor and needy profited. These very same people now in a short span of
time were ready to forsake and sever any ties they may have had in regards to
alcohol which had, for years played a major role in their lives. Those who held
goblets in their hands immediately threw them on the ground. Many others who
were in the act of drinking, spat the contents out. Sounds of pitchers and jars
being smashed up were soon audible from neighbouring houses. Wine was running to
such an extent that the streets of Madinah were overflowing.
Hazrat Anas radiyallahu anhu, an eminent companion of the Prophet sallallahu
alaihe wasallam narrates that some friends including Abu Ubayda ibn Jarrah, Abu
Dujahna, Mu'az ibn Jabal and Sahl ibn Bayzah radiyallahu anhum had gathered at
the house of Abu Talha. Alcohol was flowing and I was acting as the cup-bearer
when suddenly the cry of the announcer reached our ears. None of us considered
it necessary to go out and investigate the matter. Instead, the containers and
jars were smashed to the ground and the wine thrown onto the streets of Madinah.
After performing wudhu and ghusl we proceeded towards the Masjid where upon our
arrival we found the blessed Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam reciting the
aforesaid verse.
Hazrat Buraidah radiyallahu anhu also narrates a similar account wherein a group
of Sahaabah were busy consuming liquor when the announcement was made. The words
no sooner reached their ears that the cups were thrown to the ground. Others who
were about to swallow the alcohol immediately spat it out, numerous barrels were
also destroyed in the process. (Ibn Kathir vol2 p95)
This is not the occasion for a lengthy discussion regarding the prohibition of
alcohol, nonetheless, due to the fact that the prohibition was revealed at the
same time to that of gambling, it was necessary to give an example of the
Sahaabah's habitual obedience, courage and passion. From these incidents it can
be imagined just how difficult the situation had become for the Sahaabah.
Likewise it can be conceived as to how much hardship they must have endured when
the prohibition of gambling was also revealed. Therefore, history itself is a
witness that after the revelation of the aayah, the Companions refrained from
associating with anything that was even minutely related to gambling. In an
authentic hadith of Bukhari the Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam is reported
to have said, "If one person says to another, 'Come lets gamble.' (regardless of
whether he acts upon it or not) then he shall be liable of committing a sin; and
the compensation for that sin will be to give Sadaqah."
It is a disgrace that today's Muslims, despite the fact that severe and grave
warnings have been given in the Qur'aan and Ahaadith relating to gambling and
alcohol, lead a life of complete ignorance and unconcern. It seems that they no
longer have faith in the Qur'aan and Ahaadith, Allah save us! It is not only the
illiterate who are involved, but the sad fact is that those who hold lofty
positions in society and who are regarded as religious, because they perform
their fasts and salaah, have also fallen prey to its evil clutches. Hence for
the benefit of those who are unaware or not acquainted, a few forms of gambling
are being mentioned that are currently prevalent.
CROSSWORD PUZZLES
Nowadays, just like the epidemic of plague, the art of gambling too has now
become so common that it has become virtually a means of trade and commerce.
Under such headlines as "Solve this Puzzle", or "Win this Lottery" of
innumerable newspapers and monthly journals that are on an ever-increase. They
offer prizes for solving puzzles subject to the submitting of a fee. The
participants are lured into false belief that they can win substantial sums of
money. Some organisers fix huge prizes for the winners due to which the poor
public think that the fees is only a small amount and will not bring no harm and
therefore enter trying to win a substantial amount.
Because people have fallen prey to this disease, thousands of individuals are
entering the lottery.
It is crystal clear that when a person enters into playing this game he submits
his fee on the understanding that he either loses a small amount or wins a
fortune; according to the divine law of Islam this act is classified as
'gambling'.
In some monthly magazines this form of gambling has expanded very widely and the
income runs into millions from which the businesspersons gain overall benefit.
Even if the company tries not to indulge in any form of cheating, and
distributes the prize money justly, a substantial amount of money is left over
which is the blood and sweat of the poor people.
The outcome of all this, is that it is the public who ends up in poverty whilst
the organisers benefit from the expenses of the poor. In confirmation of the
prohibition of gambling, the above mentioned evidence is sufficient; the
democratic rules and curriculum of lslam and its fundamental principles
forebears the public money to go in the possession of few individuals. Gambling
in the form of crosswords which are prevalent today, are to be reprimanded
furthermore severely since they are an aggregation of vices and sins.
The sole reason for this is that the public is being urged and exhorted to go
against the commandments of Allah Ta'ala and His disobedience and the Holy
Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam'.
Each and every person that takes part in this vice is disobeying the
commandments which are stated by Allah Ta'ala very clearly in the Holy Qur'aan.
The participator becomes a doer of major sins, most of which falls upon the
organisers. The people who help them in any form also become guilty of this
particular major vice.
Likewise, thousands and millions of Muslim brethren openly go against the clear
order of Allah Ta'ala and his Holy Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam. In
addition, thousands and millions of Muslims become involved in this act of
gambling with the result that it becomes an unending and everlasting vice. May
Allah Ta'ala bestow the entire mankind with salvation and freedom from this
disease, Aameen.
THE PRIZE WINNING TICKETS OF (CAR) SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS
It has been observed throughout the years in Karachi, Lahore and many other
places that various types of tickets are being sold to enter exhibitions. The
organisers issue tickets with lucky numbers and then prizes are allocated to the
lucky persons whose numbers appear.
This form is not regarded as open gambling because the ticket owner receives the
returns by entering the exhibition but now it is all depending on the intention.
The person who purchases this ticket on the basis of winning a prize will be
indulging in gambling. On the other hand if his intention is solely to enter the
exhibition with no desire of winning a prize, and wins the prize then it will
not be classified as gambling according to the rules pertaining to gambling.
HORSE RACING
The present day horse racing where one stakes a certain amount on a particular
horse is in fact gambling. It is exactly that form where loss and gain is based
on something indistinct, where one person loses his initial amount and the other
wins a substantial amount.
LOTTERY
In this present day each and every kind of lottery is included within gambling
and is prohibited. It is found in bazaars and factories and out of which, a few
well-known forms are mentioned.
The lottery business of this category has now reached an international level.
The purchaser of this ticket does not buy the ticket solely with the intention
of just buying it but he buys it on the basis of it being a possible winning
dice by which he can win the amount of money he has aimed for. That is the
reason why this is not merely trade or business venture but rather it is an act
of sin to buy these or even to sell them. Because he is not merely committing a
sin and transgressing but is also promoting it.
Islam gives peace to the mind, body and soul, keeping the human in perfect
harmony. Every iota balanced and scaled to perfection. A serene picture of bliss
and joy but when a shattering and destructive vice strikes through the heart it
leaves it in a weak and downtrodden state. The National Lottery, a new religion,
has hit Britain. A moneymaking, exciting, nail-biting game of chance, preying on
the human soul and wealth.
This modern lottery system of gambling came from the crusades. The crusaders
during a siege of the Islamic citadel of Azhar were forced to pass their time by
developing new pass-times. One of those was called hazard and today this is the
usual French word used for games of chance.
Christians developed hazard into a state enterprise and since then it has been
upgraded and reformed constantly, without any feeling of guilt. Now it has,
ultimately, hit Britain with a vengeance. It seems it is here to stay for a long
time to come.
The saddening thing however is that from the constant onslaught of the West on
Islam, the National Lottery will contribute a great deal towards their ultimate
goal, the total assimilation of the Muslims into the British society.
Coming towards the main aspect of our argument that in no manner can it be
justified that it is permissible to play the lottery or to take part in any form
of gambling whatsoever will follow. The Christians, developed it and turned it
into a money-maker, all in the name of charity. The Qur'aan has commanded the
prohibition and total ban of any form of gambling and in no way whatsoever can
it be proven permissible. Thus, any person who denies the prohibition of any
form of gambling such as lottery etc. will be committing an act of kufr.
Gambling is prohibited with absolute proof as the Allah Almighty says in the
Holy Qur'aan, "O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds ofalcoholic drinks),
gambling, Al-Ansab, and Al-Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an
abomination ofsatan, handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in
order that you may be successful." (Qur'aan 5:90)
When the Sahaabahs received the order to refrain from gambling they did not
hesitate to fulfil. This is because the Holy Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam
had said, "Whosoever invites a person towards gambling should give some amount
of charity to the poor." (Bukhari)
Due to inviting a person towards gambling, he has committed a minor sin and
created zulmat (darkness) in his heart, thus it is necessary to cleanse it and
replace it with the noor (light) of Imaan by giving charity. The indication is
that even uttering the word gambling is very dire and leads to bad consequences.
There are sound and noble objectives behind this strict prohibition of
gambling.
1. Islamic teachings urge the Muslims to follow Allah's directives, for
earning a living, which is direct means for the attainment of His objectives. On
the other hand gambling, which involves raffling or the lottery makes a person
dependant on chance, luck and empty wishes taking him away from honest labour,
serious work and productive effort. The gambler loses respect for the laws of
caution that Allah has established for the people.
2. In Islam an individual's property is sacred; it may not be taken
unless given willingly or by lawful exchange. The Prophet sallallahu alaihe
wasallam has said, "A person's wealth is not halal but with his good pleasure. "
(Baihaqi, Dar-e-Qutni)
What happens in lotteries is that people's wealth is gathered and then one of
them takes the lot (e.g. £18 million in the recent lottery draw). The money
given to a certain person is not from the lottery organisers in fact it is from
individuals' pocket. If you were asked to present your money to the winning
person, would you willingly do so? I am sure you would reply no. This is one of
the reasons for prohibiting gambling.
3. Gamblers develop hatred and enmity towards one another, although they
may claim that losing does not trouble them. However, I would seriously question
this, a loser may seem composed but behind his composure is frustration, due to
disappointment, anger at the loss of money and regret for not winning the game.
The Holy Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam has said, "Do not harbour envy or
ill-will; and neither spy nor be inquisitive for other persons 'faults nor make
bogus offers of prices to spoil a bargain, and O Allah's servants! Be brethren
to each other." (Bukhari)
4. Gambling has its own compulsion. The loser plays in the hope of
winning and to regain his earlier losses, while the winner plays again to enjoy
the pleasure of winning and the greed for more. Naturally, luck changes hands,
the loser becomes the winner and the winner the loser. Thus, the gambling
addiction is such that gamblers are unable to leave it.
5. The person engaged in gambling does not stop at a point. Satan the
accursed, who is our grave enemy, conquers the mind to such an extent that the
gambler does not realise as to how much he has spent. If he were to sit down and
think of the amount he has lost, he would then surely understand the situation.
We read in the papers that a charity firm who greatly in need of cash for
renovating their premises gathered a few thousand pounds and were quiet happy to
take the chance and gamble it in the lottery. Had this amount been rightly used,
it would have at least given some benefit.
6. Because of this addiction, gambling takes a person away from the
remembrance of Allah resulting in negligence of his duties towards his Creator.
How correct is the Holy Qur'aan in mentioning drinking and gambling together in
its verse, since their harmful effects are so similar. That is why usually one
is not found without the other.
To sum up on the filth of gambling, the saying of Almighty Allah is enough for a
fearing Muslim:-
"O' you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), gambling, Al-A
nsab, and Al-Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of
Satan's handiwork So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you
may be successful. Satan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with
intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance
of Allah and from prayers. So will you not then abstain? And obey Allah and the
Messenger, and beware (of even coming near to drinking, or gambling, or Al-Ansab,
or Al-Azlam, etc.) and be afraid of Allah. Then if you turn away, you should
know that it is Our Messenger's duty to convey (the Message) in the clearest
way.
The non-permissibility will encompass everyone taking any part, whether it be
selling, buying, playing or keeping a vending machine. Muslims should refrain
from it as much as possible. Because gambling is a process in which a small sum
of money is deposited with the greed of possibly attaining a much greater sum,
it is very much appealing to the heart and soul, hence it becomes very hard to
even want to believe that it is haraam.
May Almighty Allah give us all the ability to act upon His commandments and
abstain from His prohibitions, Aameen.
Submitted by a Mujahid