The categories of permissible games in Islam

Q 1: What is the ruling on playing cards? Is it lawful or not? It should be noted that while playing cards, terms of abuse, curses and insults are usually repeated.

A: Playing cards may take one of the following forms: It may either be played for money or for fun. If it is played for money, there is no doubt that it is unlawful in this case. Also earning money through playing cards involves consuming people's financial rights and it is a type of prohibited gambling. It is well known that gambling is a sin and transgression. Allah (Exalted be He) mentions gambling in the Qur'an along with intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), Ansab (stone altars on which animals were sacrificed for idols), and Azlam (divining arrows). Allah (Exalted be He) says, O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and Al-Ansâb, and Al-Azlâm (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaitan’s (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful. Shaitân (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allâh and from As-Salât (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain? When cards are played for fun and not for money, in most cases the players hurl terms of abuse, insults and curses at each other. They may tell lies and make false oaths. Sometimes they may assault each other. Besides, the spirit of competition nurtures hatred and grudge among them, and causes them to dispraise, defame and criticize each other. All these (Part No. 15; Page No. 232) bad effects of playing cards are good reasons for prohibiting and warning against it. Allah (Exalted be He) mentions that the wisdom of prohibiting wine, gambling, Ansab and Azlam is that they are abominations of the devils' handiwork. Devil's work in the sessions where cards are played is to nurture hatred and grudge among players and turn them away from Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah) and Salah. All this takes place in the sessions where cards are played and Allah knows best. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.