Is it permissible to play chess under the following conditions: not constantly, but only occasionally, and not uttering some vulgar words during the game, and not missing the times of the obligatory prayers?
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The questioner : Is it permissible to play chess under the following conditions: not constantly, but only occasionally, and not uttering vulgar words during the game, and not missing the times of the obligatory prayers? I ask for your guidance on this?
The Shaykh : The stronger opinion is that playing chess is forbidden:
First: because it is generally not free from three-dimensional representational images, and it is known that keeping images is forbidden, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih Muslim 2106e.
Second: because it generally, indeed often, distracts from the remembrance of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). And whatever distracts greatly from the remembrance of Allah is forbidden, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted in explaining the wisdom behind the prohibition of intoxicants, gambling, and the arrows of divination:[Al-Ma'idah 5:91].
And because the common occurrence among players of this game is contention, mutual dislike, and foul language, which should not come from a Muslim to his brother.
And because focusing the mind on this type of intelligence causes a person’s thinking and intellect to be confined to this type, and to be dull in everything else. As one I trust told me, he said: We find that those who are engrossed in playing chess, when they step out of its arena into matters that require intelligence and acumen, are found to be among the most dull-witted and inattentive of people.
For these reasons, the game of chess is forbidden. This is if it is free from what the questioner mentioned and free from gambling, which is making a stake on the loser. If it is accompanied by what the questioner mentioned, or if gambling is made part of it, which is a stake on the loser, it becomes more evil and more wicked.
The Shaykh : The stronger opinion is that playing chess is forbidden:
First: because it is generally not free from three-dimensional representational images, and it is known that keeping images is forbidden, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Angels do not enter a house in which there is a picture.
لا تدخل الملائكة بيتا ً فيه صورةSecond: because it generally, indeed often, distracts from the remembrance of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). And whatever distracts greatly from the remembrance of Allah is forbidden, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted in explaining the wisdom behind the prohibition of intoxicants, gambling, and the arrows of divination:
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?
إنما يريد الشيطان أن يوقع بينكم العداوة والبغضاء في الخمر والميسر ويصدكم عن ذكر الله وعن الصلاة فهل أنتم منتهونAnd because the common occurrence among players of this game is contention, mutual dislike, and foul language, which should not come from a Muslim to his brother.
And because focusing the mind on this type of intelligence causes a person’s thinking and intellect to be confined to this type, and to be dull in everything else. As one I trust told me, he said: We find that those who are engrossed in playing chess, when they step out of its arena into matters that require intelligence and acumen, are found to be among the most dull-witted and inattentive of people.
For these reasons, the game of chess is forbidden. This is if it is free from what the questioner mentioned and free from gambling, which is making a stake on the loser. If it is accompanied by what the questioner mentioned, or if gambling is made part of it, which is a stake on the loser, it becomes more evil and more wicked.