This is the third post in our series of posts about the Prohibited means of earning in Islam. The eralier two posts were about money earned from Beggary and Diminishing measures and weights. (You may read the earlier two posts by clicking on the link: Prohibited means of earning in Islam). Today in the third post we will dwell on the income earned from gambling.
The Qur'an and Hadiths explicitly prohibit gambling (known as Maysir in Arabic), and money earned from gambling is considered haram (forbidden) in Islam. The prohibition stems from the negative impact that gambling has on individuals and society, such as promoting greed, dishonesty, and financial instability, while also diverting individuals from the remembrance of Allah and righteous actions.
Quranic Prohibition of Gambling (Maysir)
The primary verse in the Qur'an that addresses gambling is found in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:90), which directly condemns it along with alcohol and idols:
"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." (Al-Ma'idah 5:90)
Explanation of the Verse: Intoxicants and gambling are both listed together here as major societal vices that lead to harm. Gambling (Maysir) is likened to "defilement" and is considered part of the "work of Satan", emphasizing the destructive spiritual, social, and moral consequences of engaging in such practices.
The phrase "so avoid it that you may be successful" clearly instructs Muslims to stay away from gambling, highlighting that it prevents success both in this world and the Hereafter. The success referred to here is not only worldly prosperity but also spiritual well-being and salvation.
In this verse, Allah emphasizes that gambling is a tool used by Satan to sow discord, enmity, and hatred among people. It also distracts them from remembering Allah and causes individuals to waste their time, wealth, and energy on a futile pursuit.
Hadiths on the Prohibition of Gambling
Several Hadiths (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him) elaborate on the prohibition of gambling and its harmful consequences. Some key Hadiths include:
1. Gambling is a form of "filth" (najis): Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
"Allah has cursed the one who consumes intoxicants, the one who practices gambling, the one who steals, the one who falsely accuses someone, and the one who is a sorcerer." (Sunan Ibn Majah)
Here, the Prophet (peace be upon him) includes gambling as one of the cursed acts, similar to intoxicants, theft, and false accusations. The curse signifies that these acts are serious offenses that alienate one from the mercy of Allah.
2. Gambling is a waste of wealth: The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said:
"Whoever says: 'Let us play a game of chance,' let him know that this is part of gambling, which is haram (forbidden)." (Sahih Muslim)
This hadith further clarifies that engaging in gambling or any form of games of chance—whether with money or not—comes under the same ruling of being haram. This act involves wealth that is gained without effort or productive labor, promoting greed and unjust enrichment.
This kind of easy gain is seen as a form of deception, where people seek profits without hard work or a legitimate trade.
3. A prohibition against taking money from gambling: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"The money from gambling is the worst of earnings. It is nothing but a waste of wealth." (Sahih Bukhari)
In this hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) explicitly categorizes money obtained from gambling as "the worst of earnings". This reinforces the idea that not only is gambling prohibited, but also the wealth earned through gambling is considered harmful and impure, not to be used or cherished.
Islam teaches that wealth should be earned through honest means, such as working, trading, and other legitimate forms of income.
Why is Gambling (Maysir) Prohibited?
The prohibition of gambling in Islam is rooted in several principles of Islamic ethics and values:
- It promotes greed: Gambling encourages people to seek easy and quick wealth at the expense of hard work, creating a society that values instant gratification over sustainable, legitimate income.
- It causes harm: Gambling often leads to addiction, financial ruin, and strained relationships. It can negatively affect families, causing loss of savings and sometimes even leading individuals to commit crimes to sustain their habit.
It distracts from worship: Just like intoxicants, gambling can divert attention from remembering Allah. The Qur'an and Hadith warn that anything that distracts from prayer, charity, or remembrance of Allah is a source of harm.
It fosters enmity and competition: Gambling often breeds jealousy, hatred, and competition, especially if one person wins at the expense of another, leading to disputes and animosity.
It is unfair and unjust: Gambling is based on chance and is a form of economic exploitation, where the winner gains wealth at the expense of others. This goes against the Islamic principle of fair trade and justice.
As can be seen, the Qur'an and Hadith are clear in their prohibition of gambling (Maysir). The Qur'an condemns it as an impure practice that distracts from worship and sows discord, while the Hadith elaborates on its harmful consequences, likening it to the worst of earnings and equating it with other major sins like drinking alcohol or stealing. Money earned from gambling is seen as haram because it is obtained without effort, promotes greed, and disrupts the moral fabric of society. Muslims are therefore forbidden from engaging in gambling, benefiting from it, or using any money derived from it.
You may now like to watch a very educative video on gambling with a simple approach: 2 Questions to help you identify Maysir (gambling). The reasoning and explanation given is really great, thorough and systematic that should make everyone understand gambling.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may like to read more posts on similar theme in our series of posts related to: Ref Page: Prohibited means of earning in Islam
For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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