Is Chess Haram? 7 Conditions to Keep it Halal
If you’re a Muslim who likes to play chess, you might be wondering if you’re allowed to do so according to Islamic law.
Islamic scholars have had conflicting views on the issue of whether or not chess is permitted throughout history and across many cultures. So, is chess haram?
Some Islamic scholars consider chess to be haram because of its relation to gambling and diversion from their religious duties. Some, however, argue that a game qualifies as halal if it is played for intellectual enjoyment and excludes gambling and betting.
Keep reading to learn more about the different views of Islamic scholars about chess and the conditions to follow to keep it halal.
Disclaimer: This article is a conclusion of published rulings regarding chess and whether it’s haram among different scholars. If you want a definitive answer, I strongly encourage you to contact the fatwa house in your region.
Is Chess Haram?
Islamic scholars aren’t entirely in agreement on whether chess is haram or not.
Because of its connection with gambling and the potential for it to cause people to become distracted from their religious obligations, some people view it as haram (forbidden). Others, however, argue that it is halal, provided it is played solely for intellectual and recreational activities and does not involve gambling or betting.
Chess was prohibited in some historical Islamic communities while being played and appreciated in others. Islamic chess principles have been interpreted in various ways throughout history, and this discussion is still ongoing.
Is Chess Haram in Quran and Hadith?
The two main Islamic texts, the Quran and Hadith, do not directly mention chess. As a result, Islamic scholars disagree on how to understand the subject of whether chess is haram or not. However, the Quran prohibits concepts that might be associated with chess.
Gambling is forbidden in the Quran because it is viewed as a kind of social and financial harm to both individuals and society as a whole. As a result, it is widely acknowledged by Islamic scholars that gambling, including games of chance like casino games, lotteries, and sports betting, is prohibited in Islam.
What Islamic Scholars Said About Chess
As said earlier, Islamic scholars aren’t in total agreement on whether chess is haram.
It is up to the individual Muslim to choose what they believe when Muslim scholars dispute whether something is halal or not. What is and is not haram cannot be determined with absolute certainty by any one authority. That’s why it might be helpful to view both sides, right?
Scholars Who Viewed Chess As Halal
As long as it is played for intellectual and recreational purposes only, without incorporating gambling or other prohibited activities, the majority of Muslim scholars today still view chess as acceptable (halal). This point of view is founded on the idea that something is halal until there is unmistakable proof to the contrary.
In that last part, Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, a famous Islamic scholar, addressed that there is no proof of the contrary in his book, The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam. He claimed that individuals who hold this opinion quote a few hadiths to support it, but that research has shown that chess did not emerge until after the Prophet’s death. Hence, all of these hadiths must have been made up.
Other scholars who have expressed similar views include Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, Imam Zaid Shakir, Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, and Sheikh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi. All of them agreed that chess is halal on certain conditions where it doesn’t involve gambling or betting.
Scholars Who Viewed Chess As Haram
Yet, it is important to keep in mind that there have been conflicting views on the legitimacy of chess throughout the history of Islam, and some scholars have previously regarded it as haram (forbidden) because of its connection to gambling or as a diversion from religious obligations.
Old Islamic scholars from the 8th, 14th, and 19th centuries said that chess is undoubtedly haram. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Ibn Taymiyyah, Muhammad Abduh, and Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al ash-Sheikh are among the scholars who said chess is haram.
The Companions of the Prophet themselves had varying opinions about playing chess all the way back then. Ali and Ibn Umar both viewed it as gambling and believed it was worse than backgammon, while some others just expressed their disapproval.
Other current prominent Islamic Sunni and Shite figures, such as Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Sheikh, Saudi Arabia’s grand mufti, and Iraq’s supreme Shia religious authority Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, have ruled that chess is haram for its association with gambling and distraction from religious duties.
What Are The Conditions That Make Chess Halal?
Many modern Islamic scholars believe that, under certain circumstances, playing chess is halal and permissible. These conditions include, among others:
- Playing chess solely for intellectual and recreational purposes: Chess playing must be done for fun and cerebral stimulation rather than for any kind of gambling or other illegal activities.
- Not involving any element of gambling: Chess cannot contain any type of gambling or betting since, in Islam, gambling is regarded as haram or forbidden. So maybe next time, don’t bet that your friend is going to win against your 9-year-old cousin, okay?
- Not interfering with religious obligations: Chess play must not conflict with a Muslim’s religious duties, such as attending prayers or carrying out other religious responsibilities.
- Not promoting unIslamic values: Chess playing should not praise or encourage any anti-Islamic values like violence, corruption, cheating, lying, or immorality.
- Not playing to waste time: Chess should be played with more noble intent, such as improving one’s strategic skills and thinking or taking a well-earned rest while doing something that is regarded as “positive amusement,” etc.
- Not leading to obsession or addiction: Chess playing must not develop into an obsession or addiction that interferes with a Muslim’s obligations and daily life.
- Not leading to animosity: Islam encourages building positive connections with people. If playing chess leads to animosity between the players, vulgar behavior in speech or character, etc., it may be considered haram.
Is Chess Tournament Money Considered Haram?
Haram money in Islam is every profit you get from unlawful sources not accepted by Islam. One of these sources is haram sources of income such as gambling, alcohol, drugs, or any other type of illegal or unethical activity.
Since all Muslim scholars, both those that said it’s haram or halal, agreed that it shouldn’t contain any betting or gambling, winning money from playing chess can be considered haram. The academic community came to the conclusion that receiving compensation for playing chess is illegal gambling.
Is It Haram to Take Chess as a Profession?
The subject of whether it is prohibited to profit from playing chess as a profession has no clear-cut answer in Islam. While some Muslim scholars consider it to be haram, others consider it to be halal.
Chess is a game of chance, and gambling is prohibited in Islam, according to those who believe that it is haram to profit from it. On the other hand, some contend that playing chess can be a time waster and that time is better spent on more useful pursuits.
Chess is a game of skill, not gambling, according to those who think it is halal to profit from it. They believe that chess can be a useful educational tool and that it can promote critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
The choice of whether or not to earn money playing chess is ultimately a personal one. Each Muslim must consider the arguments in favor of and against it before making the best decision for them.
Is Chess Accepted in Islamic Communities?
In general, chess is widely recognized and loved as a pastime in many Muslim communities around the world. In truth, chess is played at both the amateur and professional levels in many Muslim-majority nations, and several of these nations have even produced players of the finest quality.
Yet, in certain Muslim communities, chess play is still frowned upon or even forbidden. This can be the result of a lack of knowledge about the game or cultural biases towards particular leisure activities. Also, certain Islamic scholars may still hold that playing chess is haram, which may have an impact on how some Muslim communities feel.
Are There Any Muslim Grandmasters?
Despite the huge dispute, the Muslim communities succeeded in giving birth to lots of grandmasters in the past few years. Those names in the list managed to make the top charts in chess:
- Alireza Firouzja (Iran)
- Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan)
- Teimour Radjabov (Azerbaijan)
- Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine)
- Rustam Kasimdzhanov (Uzbekistan)
- Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzbekistan)
- Saleh Salem (United Arab Emirates)
- Ahmed Adly (Egypt)
- Mohamed El Sayed (Egypt)
- Ahmed Babacar Ndiaye (Senegal)
Conclusion
Chess is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran or Hadith, the two primary sources of Islamic teachings. Therefore, whether chess is haram or halal is a matter of interpretation and debate among Islamic scholars.
Due to its perceived link with gambling or time-wasting activities, some Islamic scholars see chess as haram, while others see it as a legitimate form of relaxation and mental exercise.
As mentioned, different experts hold different views on whether chess is acceptable in Islam, and the answer ultimately depends on how each scholar interprets Islamic teaching and cultural norms.
It is important to keep in mind that Islam promotes moderation and balance in all facets of life, including leisure pursuits, and that Muslims should aim to partake in constructive and enjoyable activities while also abiding by Islamic norms.
Hence, each Muslim must decide for themselves whether playing chess or engaging in other hobbies is appropriate in their own life based on their understanding of Islamic teachings and their unique set of circumstances.
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