Is playing chess haraam?
Someone mentioned some hadith stated the prophet (pbuh) said it was haraam. Does anyone know which hadith and the reasoning behind this?
I wasnt even aware that chess existed back then.
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i've heard that it is haraam aswell, bt i dont see why it could be
"ThiS WoRlD Iz A PrIsOn 4 A BeLiVeR AnD PaRaDiSe 4 A NoN-BeLiVeR.........."
The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whosoever plays with backgammon is as though he dipped his hands in the flesh and blood of a swine”. (Sahih Muslim, No. 2260).
The Companions also used to prohibit the playing of chess which they must have heard from the Prophet (pbuh).
Sayyiduna Ali (ra) said: “Chess is the gambling of the non-Arabs”. (al-Bayhaqi in his Shu’ab al-Iman)
Sayyiduna Abu Musa al-Ash’ari (ra) said: “Only a sinner plays chess” (ibid).
He was once asked about chess and he replied: “It is useless (batil) and Allah does not like useless things” (ibid).
[url=http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=2325&CATE=142]link 1[/url] and [url=http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=3521&CATE=142]link 2[/url]
It is considered a waste of time (with nothing of value) or worse, but probably not haraam per se. Backgammon on the other hand as mentioned above has a far clearer ban.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Yeah but Backgammon and chess are two different things.
And as far as im aware Backgammon was banned becoz ppl were using it to gamble.
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Read MuslimBro's posts and then maybe the links it links to. It is not the same as backgammon, but well... read the quote of Hadhrat Ali (ra). not some thing to be brushed away lightly.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Incase u didnt know.
I neither gamble, nor am i an arab.
I do not see it as useless... it can pass the time... as well as exercising the mind.
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Fair enough. No need to get so defensive about it.
I was just saying that brushing the quote from Hadhrat Ali (ra) [which was incidentally referring to NON arabs - something you clarified that you were], which would come under a definition of hadith is not the right thing to do.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
You mis-understand.
Im not getting defensive... merely poking holes in what was said.
But since Ive not been given the context of what and when those quotes were made rest assured i am not brushing anything at this point.
Until the reasoning and logic behind this is revealed. I do not intend to make a judgement. However I would also like to point out that chess wasnt around back then... so how is it that they are referring to it??
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Now, that is a better response.
The answer, the modern western variant is relatively new (500 years), but there were older variants (over 2000 documents version according to wikipedia). What the question is what has changed? the board? the rules? the reasons for playing?
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Chess! Haram? Give me a break! As long as you don't gamble over it's alright, as far as I know. I really don't see the sense behind chess being haram. This is my opinion, so don't feel offended or anything, but I think some people, no one on the forums, have nothing better to do but make up some Ahadith. Give us a break!
Sorry if you think I'm being too generalised, but that's what it seems to me.
Chin up, mate! Life's too short.
Salam
It is the gambling that is prohibited, not playing chess.
Prophet would never forbid Muslims from playing a healthy sport.
Omrow
no matter whether chess is allowed or not, I cannot call it a sport.
@courage: read the posts above before jumping in with a defensive overreaction.
"as far as I know" is not a good enough answer in Islam - unless you do your utmost to try to find out the facts. Otherwise ignorance is not always bliss.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
never heard that one before. I have played draughts but never chess. Whats the difference between the two?
No not the gum drop buttons! – Gingy
the rules
Don't just do something! Stand there.
the pieces...
Draughts is far easier, childsplay in comparison.
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