The Pokémon Game
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Fatwa No. ( 21758 )
Praise be to Allah alone, and blessings and peace be upon the one after whom there is no prophet. After that: Many questions have been received by the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta, recorded at the General Secretariat of the Council of Senior Scholars, including one recorded under number (7180) on 11/11/1421 AH, and another under number (7246) on 17/11/1421 AH, among others. The text of one of them is as follows: A game known as (Pokémon) has recently spread among school students. This game has captured the minds of a large segment of our student children, seizing their hearts and becoming their primary preoccupation. They spend their money buying its cards, which range in price from 10 to 600 riyals, with some reaching 2,000 or 3,000 riyals for a single card. They spend most of their time following its developments and searching for new ones everywhere. Due to its popularity and the intense demand for it, specific markets and designated places for buying, selling, and exchanging them have emerged, to the point that matches are held for these cards, in which a large number of students compete
to win more of them. Even more alarming is that a significant number of fathers and mothers have become interested in the developments of this game and do not hesitate to provide support and assistance to their children. In fact, these cards are now used for reward and punishment, after they have become convinced that this game has a strange effect on influencing their children. To clarify some facts about this game and the serious dangers it hides, whether doctrinal, educational, or behavioral, which directly target a specific group of our children, I wish to present in this brief report an overview of this game, focusing on its tragic doctrinal risks and negative educational effects, attempting, with Allah's help, to place before those who are zealous and concerned with the sound doctrinal upbringing of our students some of what I have found through my follow-up of this game after its situation has become severe within our society. Its Origin: The Pokémon game, also known as (Pokémon), was introduced from the far East, specifically from Japan, and dates back to the 1990s, when a Japanese man named ( Satoshi Tajiri ), who was interested in collecting insects, imagined that the world would be invaded by a huge number of strange-shaped insects and animals coming from space, and that humans would then begin to capture them. These insects and beasts are capable of evolving and ascending toward the better, and their shape changes at each stage. For example, an animal with one head might evolve to have three heads, or it might
grow extra arms and legs at some stage. This idea appealed to a giant Japanese company called (Nintendo), which adopted the idea, developed it, and mobilized huge resources for it. It attracted a large number of designers and artists to draw models for this game and imposed strict supervision on their work, as it prevented journalists from entering the places where these drawings were designed, as happened with one of the American television stations that wanted to produce a report on the design of these drawings. Before long, this game spread like wildfire in most parts of the world, and the producing company achieved fantastic profits, reaching billions of dollars. Headquarters were established for it in many world capitals, and it came to have publications, periodicals, and video tapes. Many television stations adopted broadcasting its programs, and numerous websites were created for it on the information network (the Internet). How to Play Pokémon: The producers of Pokémon have established specific rules and regulations for playing this game, considering the methodology of continuity, so that the player remains searching for the new, panting without end. It takes several forms, including the complex type, which uses dice and badges, has a specific table, and requires a long time to learn its skills, and the simplified type, which is summarized by the strong card seizing the weaker card. What distinguishes
A strong card is one that contains specific symbols, signs, and numbers that increase its value. The Shari'ah precautions regarding this game are as follows: First: Gambling and maysir (gambling): because it involves forbidden gambling; two people compete with a number of cards of different values, each card having an agreed-upon value, and one of them possesses a strong card with which he wins the other person's weaker cards. If the losing party does not want to lose the card, he pays an amount in lieu of its value, and the price may be increased according to what the winner determines. This is one of the forms of gambling in the pre-Islamic age of ignorance (jahiliyyah), where a man would gamble with another on his wealth and his family, so that whichever one won would take the other's wealth, and even his family, because of this gambling. This is mentioned in the exegesis of the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Ma'idah 5:90]This gambling is what happens among students in our schools through this game, where a student gambles with his cards that have monetary value, and the winner takes his opponent's cards that have monetary value. If the loser wants to keep his cards, he must pay a monetary value for them to retain them. Second: Its adoption of the theory of evolution and ascent: Perhaps the most important thing that makes a person object to this game is
that it adopts the theory of evolution and ascent, which was advocated by (Darwinwhich is based on the evolution of creatures, tracing the origin of man to a series of evolving living beings, the last of which was the monkey. The remarkable thing is that the word “evolution” has become frequently on the tongues of children, as you hear students say that the animal on the card has evolved and taken on a different form, and they follow its evolution with intense passion. Thirdly: its inclusion of symbols and emblems of deviant religions and organizations: anyone who examines some of these cards is shocked and their heart breaks at the symbols, emblems, and distorted partial images they see, which have very dangerous implications, proving that this game was not created for the purpose of amusement and entertainment, as its producers and promoters claim, but rather that there are hidden hands and an organization working precisely to spread their deviant ideas through many of the symbols and emblems present in this game, which are used by the most destructive movements in the world. This symbolism leaves a wide space for maneuvering against those they wish to mislead, interpreting matters for them according to what they like and love, to make them stick in the minds, and for those who use them to become attached to them, and this has actually happened with a large segment of our children,
and perhaps I will cite here some excerpts regarding the importance that deviant organizations give to symbols, drawings, and emblems. They say: the secret is transmitted through the word, the image, and the writing, and the writing is rituals, and it has not been disseminated except in a partial, distorted form. Among these symbols: A- The six-pointed star: it is rare to find a card that lacks this star, whose connection to global Zionism is not hidden from anyone, as it also represents the emblem of the State of Israel and its sacred symbol, and it is the primary symbol of Masonic organizations in the world. B- The cross: there are many crosses of different shapes in this game, and it is the sacred emblem of the Christians. C- Triangles and angles: these are symbols with important implications for many deviant organizations, such as Freemasonry. D- Symbols from the Shinto belief: Shinto is the belief of the people ofJapan,which is based on the multiplicity of gods, so the sun and the earth, and many animals and plants are sacred to them, and they take on the attribute of gods, and the game contained many of these images. End. And the questioners asked about the ruling on thatthe game called (Pokémon).
A : Because this game contains several religious prohibitions, among which are: associating partners with Allah by believing in the plurality of gods, and: gambling
which Allah has forbidden by explicit text in the Qur'an, and He made it a companion to intoxicants and sacrificial stones, in His saying:[Al-Ma'idah 5:90-91] , and: promoting the slogans of disbelief and advertising for them, promoting forbidden images, and consuming wealth unjustly. Due to these prohibitions and others, the Permanent Committee considers this game forbidden, and considers the money obtained through playing it forbidden; because it is gambling, which is the forbidden form of gambling, and considers its sale and purchase forbidden; because that is a means leading to what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden. The Committee advises all Muslims to be cautious of it, and to prevent their children from engaging in it and playing with it; in order to preserve their religion, their creed, and their morals. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Praise be to Allah alone, and blessings and peace be upon the one after whom there is no prophet. After that: Many questions have been received by the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta, recorded at the General Secretariat of the Council of Senior Scholars, including one recorded under number (7180) on 11/11/1421 AH, and another under number (7246) on 17/11/1421 AH, among others. The text of one of them is as follows: A game known as (Pokémon) has recently spread among school students. This game has captured the minds of a large segment of our student children, seizing their hearts and becoming their primary preoccupation. They spend their money buying its cards, which range in price from 10 to 600 riyals, with some reaching 2,000 or 3,000 riyals for a single card. They spend most of their time following its developments and searching for new ones everywhere. Due to its popularity and the intense demand for it, specific markets and designated places for buying, selling, and exchanging them have emerged, to the point that matches are held for these cards, in which a large number of students compete
to win more of them. Even more alarming is that a significant number of fathers and mothers have become interested in the developments of this game and do not hesitate to provide support and assistance to their children. In fact, these cards are now used for reward and punishment, after they have become convinced that this game has a strange effect on influencing their children. To clarify some facts about this game and the serious dangers it hides, whether doctrinal, educational, or behavioral, which directly target a specific group of our children, I wish to present in this brief report an overview of this game, focusing on its tragic doctrinal risks and negative educational effects, attempting, with Allah's help, to place before those who are zealous and concerned with the sound doctrinal upbringing of our students some of what I have found through my follow-up of this game after its situation has become severe within our society. Its Origin: The Pokémon game, also known as (Pokémon), was introduced from the far East, specifically from Japan, and dates back to the 1990s, when a Japanese man named ( Satoshi Tajiri ), who was interested in collecting insects, imagined that the world would be invaded by a huge number of strange-shaped insects and animals coming from space, and that humans would then begin to capture them. These insects and beasts are capable of evolving and ascending toward the better, and their shape changes at each stage. For example, an animal with one head might evolve to have three heads, or it might
grow extra arms and legs at some stage. This idea appealed to a giant Japanese company called (Nintendo), which adopted the idea, developed it, and mobilized huge resources for it. It attracted a large number of designers and artists to draw models for this game and imposed strict supervision on their work, as it prevented journalists from entering the places where these drawings were designed, as happened with one of the American television stations that wanted to produce a report on the design of these drawings. Before long, this game spread like wildfire in most parts of the world, and the producing company achieved fantastic profits, reaching billions of dollars. Headquarters were established for it in many world capitals, and it came to have publications, periodicals, and video tapes. Many television stations adopted broadcasting its programs, and numerous websites were created for it on the information network (the Internet). How to Play Pokémon: The producers of Pokémon have established specific rules and regulations for playing this game, considering the methodology of continuity, so that the player remains searching for the new, panting without end. It takes several forms, including the complex type, which uses dice and badges, has a specific table, and requires a long time to learn its skills, and the simplified type, which is summarized by the strong card seizing the weaker card. What distinguishes
A strong card is one that contains specific symbols, signs, and numbers that increase its value. The Shari'ah precautions regarding this game are as follows: First: Gambling and maysir (gambling): because it involves forbidden gambling; two people compete with a number of cards of different values, each card having an agreed-upon value, and one of them possesses a strong card with which he wins the other person's weaker cards. If the losing party does not want to lose the card, he pays an amount in lieu of its value, and the price may be increased according to what the winner determines. This is one of the forms of gambling in the pre-Islamic age of ignorance (jahiliyyah), where a man would gamble with another on his wealth and his family, so that whichever one won would take the other's wealth, and even his family, because of this gambling. This is mentioned in the exegesis of the saying of Allah the Exalted:
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.
إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالأَنْصَابُ وَالأَزْلامُ رِجْسٌ مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَthat it adopts the theory of evolution and ascent, which was advocated by (Darwinwhich is based on the evolution of creatures, tracing the origin of man to a series of evolving living beings, the last of which was the monkey. The remarkable thing is that the word “evolution” has become frequently on the tongues of children, as you hear students say that the animal on the card has evolved and taken on a different form, and they follow its evolution with intense passion. Thirdly: its inclusion of symbols and emblems of deviant religions and organizations: anyone who examines some of these cards is shocked and their heart breaks at the symbols, emblems, and distorted partial images they see, which have very dangerous implications, proving that this game was not created for the purpose of amusement and entertainment, as its producers and promoters claim, but rather that there are hidden hands and an organization working precisely to spread their deviant ideas through many of the symbols and emblems present in this game, which are used by the most destructive movements in the world. This symbolism leaves a wide space for maneuvering against those they wish to mislead, interpreting matters for them according to what they like and love, to make them stick in the minds, and for those who use them to become attached to them, and this has actually happened with a large segment of our children,
and perhaps I will cite here some excerpts regarding the importance that deviant organizations give to symbols, drawings, and emblems. They say: the secret is transmitted through the word, the image, and the writing, and the writing is rituals, and it has not been disseminated except in a partial, distorted form. Among these symbols: A- The six-pointed star: it is rare to find a card that lacks this star, whose connection to global Zionism is not hidden from anyone, as it also represents the emblem of the State of Israel and its sacred symbol, and it is the primary symbol of Masonic organizations in the world. B- The cross: there are many crosses of different shapes in this game, and it is the sacred emblem of the Christians. C- Triangles and angles: these are symbols with important implications for many deviant organizations, such as Freemasonry. D- Symbols from the Shinto belief: Shinto is the belief of the people ofJapan,which is based on the multiplicity of gods, so the sun and the earth, and many animals and plants are sacred to them, and they take on the attribute of gods, and the game contained many of these images. End. And the questioners asked about the ruling on thatthe game called (Pokémon).
A : Because this game contains several religious prohibitions, among which are: associating partners with Allah by believing in the plurality of gods, and: gambling
which Allah has forbidden by explicit text in the Qur'an, and He made it a companion to intoxicants and sacrificial stones, in His saying:
(90) 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. (91) 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?
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالأَنْصَابُ وَالأَزْلامُ رِجْسٌ مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ (90) إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَنْ يُوقِعَ بَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاءَ فِي الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمْ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَعَنِ الصَّلاَةِ فَهَلْ أَنْتُمْ مُنْتَهُونَ
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.