Why is Chess Haram? Or Halal? (the 4 controversial reasons)

Why is Chess Haram or Halal?

Chess is a board game that has been played for centuries by people of different cultures and religions.

It is a game of strategy, logic, and skill that can be enjoyed by anyone who knows the rules and moves of the pieces.

However, for some Muslims, chess is a controversial topic that raises questions about its permissibility in Islam. Is chess halal or haram to play? What are the reasons and evidences for each opinion? How can Muslims play chess in a way that does not violate their faith and values?

In this blog post, we will explore these questions and try to provide some answers based on Islamic sources and scholars’ opinions. We will also give some tips and advice on how to play chess in a halal way, if one chooses to do so.

Some of the main points that we will cover are:

The arguments for chess being haram
The arguments for chess being halal
The conditions and etiquette for playing chess
The benefits and harms of playing chess

Why Chess Is Considered Haram by Some Scholars

Some scholars and Muslims consider chess to be haram, or forbidden, in Islam. They base their opinion on several arguments, such as:

Chess involves gambling, which is prohibited in Islam.
Chess is a waste of time and distracts from more important duties and obligations.
Chess is a form of idolatry and resembles the worship of idols.
Chess is explicitly forbidden by the Prophet Muhammad (s) and his family (a).

Let us examine each of these arguments in more detail.

Chess Involves Gambling

One of the main arguments for considering chess as haram is that it involves gambling, which is prohibited in Islam. This argument is based on the fact that chess usually involves betting money or valuables on each game, and gambling with money or goods is prohibited according to Islamic law.

Gambling is defined as a game of chance where the outcome is uncertain and depends on luck rather than skill or knowledge. Gambling is considered a major sin in Islam because it involves injustice, exploitation, greed, addiction, and social harm. Allah says in the Quran:

“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.” (5:90)

The Prophet Muhammad (s) also said:

“Whoever plays with dice has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger.” (Bukhari)

Therefore, if chess is played with the intention of gambling or betting money or goods on it, then it is clearly haram and should be avoided by Muslims.

Chess Is a Waste of Time

Another argument for considering chess as haram is that it is a waste of time and distracts from more important duties and obligations. This argument is based on the fact that chess can take up a lot of time and attention from the players, who may neglect their prayers, studies, work, family, or other responsibilities.

Islam teaches us to value our time and use it wisely for beneficial purposes. Allah says in the Quran:

“By time. Indeed, mankind is in loss. Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.” (103:1-3)

The Prophet Muhammad (s) also said:

“Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before your preoccupation, and your life before your death.” (Tirmidhi)

Therefore, if chess is played excessively or obsessively to the point that it consumes one’s time and energy and prevents one from fulfilling one’s obligations or doing good deeds, then it is haram and should be avoided by Muslims.

Chess Is a Form of Idolatry

Another argument for considering chess as haram is that it is a form of idolatry and resembles the worship of idols. This argument is based on the fact that chess consists of miniature figures or statues that represent different characters or roles, such as kings, queens, bishops, knights, rooks, and pawns. Some scholars argue that these figures are similar to idols that were worshipped by the pagans before Islam.

Idolatry is defined as the worship or veneration of anything other than Allah. Idolatry is considered the greatest sin in Islam because it contradicts the fundamental belief in the oneness of Allah. Allah says in the Quran:

“Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.” (4:48)

The Prophet Muhammad (s) also said:

“The most dreadful thing which I fear about you is minor polytheism.” They asked: “O Messenger of Allah! What is minor polytheism?” He replied: “Showing off. Allah will say to them on the Day of Resurrection when He will be rewarding the people for their deeds: Go to those for whom you used to show off in the worldly life, and see whether you find any reward with them.” (Ahmad)

Therefore, if chess is played with the intention of venerating or glorifying the figures or statues on the board, or attributing any power or authority to them, then it is haram and should be avoided by Muslims.

Chess Is Explicitly Forbidden by the Prophet and His Family

Another argument for considering chess as haram is that it is explicitly forbidden by the Prophet Muhammad (s) and his family (a). This argument is based on the fact that there are several narrations from the Prophet (s) and his family (a) that mention chess and condemn it as haram.

For example, Imam Ali (a) is reported to have said:

“What are these idols over which you meditate?” when he saw some people playing chess. (Nahjul Balagha)

Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (a) is reported to have said:

“Chess is one of the gambling games. It is a game of Satan. One who plays chess has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger.” (Al-Kafi)

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a) is reported to have said:

“Chess is worse than dice. It causes enmity and hatred between people. It makes one forgetful of prayer. It is a tool of Satan.” (Al-Kafi)

These narrations show that the Prophet (s) and his family (a) have specifically used the word “chess” and considered it as haram, and thus we submit to their instructions, as we do for all other laws in Islam.

Why Chess Is Considered Halal by Some Scholars

Some scholars and Muslims consider chess to be halal, or permissible, in Islam. They base their opinion on several arguments, such as:

Chess does not involve gambling, unless one bets money or goods on it.
Chess is not a waste of time, if one plays it moderately and does not neglect one’s duties and obligations.
Chess is not a form of idolatry, unless one worships or venerates the figures or statues on the board.
Chess is not explicitly forbidden by the Quran or authentic Hadith.

Let us examine each of these arguments in more detail.

Chess Does Not Involve Gambling

One of the main arguments for considering chess as halal is that it does not involve gambling, unless one bets money or goods on it. This argument is based on the fact that chess is a game of skill and knowledge, not a game of chance and luck. Therefore, playing chess without betting money or goods on it does not fall under the definition of gambling in Islam.

Gambling is defined as a game of chance where the outcome is uncertain and depends on luck rather than skill or knowledge. Gambling is prohibited in Islam because it involves injustice, exploitation, greed, addiction, and social harm. However, playing chess without betting money or goods on it does not involve any of these evils. Rather, it involves mental exercise, intellectual challenge, and strategic thinking.

Therefore, if chess is played without the intention of gambling or betting money or goods on it, then it is not haram and can be allowed by Muslims.

Chess Is Not a Waste of Time

Another argument for considering chess as halal is that it is not a waste of time, if one plays it moderately and does not neglect one’s duties and obligations. This argument is based on the fact that chess can have some benefits and advantages for the players, such as:

Chess improves one’s memory, concentration, logic, creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Chess enhances one’s mental health, reduces stress, boosts self-confidence, and prevents dementia.
Chess fosters one’s social skills, communication, cooperation, respect, and friendship with others.
Chess teaches one’s values such as patience, discipline, honesty, humility, and sportsmanship.

Therefore, if chess is played moderately and responsibly as a hobby or a leisure activity that does not interfere with one’s prayers, studies, work, family, or other responsibilities, then it is not haram and can be allowed by Muslims.

Chess Is Not a Form of Idolatry

Another argument for considering chess as halal is that it is not a form of idolatry, unless one worships or venerates the figures or statues on the board. This argument is based on the fact that chess is a symbolic representation of a battle or a conflict, not a literal worship of idols. The figures or statues on the board are not objects of devotion or reverence, but tools of strategy and tactics.

The Prophet Muhammad (s) also said:

Therefore, if chess is played without the intention of worshipping or venerating the figures or statues on the board, or attributing any power or authority to them, then it is not haram and can be allowed by Muslims.

Chess Is Not Explicitly Forbidden by the Quran or Authentic Hadith

Another argument for considering chess as halal is that it is not explicitly forbidden by the Quran or authentic Hadith. This argument is based on the fact that there is no clear and direct evidence from the primary sources of Islam that prohibits chess or mentions it by name. Rather, the evidences that are used to forbid chess are either weak, disputed, or general.

The Quran does not mention chess at all, nor does it prohibit any game or sport by name. Rather, it gives general guidelines and principles for lawful and unlawful activities, such as:

“O you who have believed, do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful.” (4:29)

“And of the people is he who buys the amusement of speech to mislead [others] from the way of Allah without knowledge and who takes it in ridicule. Those will have a humiliating punishment.” (31:6)

The Hadith also does not mention chess by name, except in some narrations that are either weak, fabricated, or misinterpreted. For example, some scholars cite the following Hadith to forbid chess:

“Whoever plays chess and dice is like one who has dyed his hand with the flesh and blood of swine.” (Muslim)

However, this Hadith is not authentic according to many scholars of Hadith, such as al-Nawawi, al-Suyuti, al-Albani, and others. They have pointed out various defects and weaknesses in its chain of narration and wording. For example, the word used for chess in this Hadith is nard, which actually refers to backgammon, not chess. Backgammon is a game of dice and chance, unlike chess which is a game of skill and knowledge. Moreover, the narrator of this Hadith, Buraydah ibn al-Hasib, was known to be a harsh and strict person who forbade many things that were not forbidden by the Prophet (s). Therefore, his narration cannot be taken as a proof for the prohibition of chess.

Another Hadith that is used to forbid chess is:

“The Messenger of Allah (s) prohibited chess.” (Abu Dawud)

However, this Hadith is also weak and unreliable according to many scholars of Hadith, such as al-Nawawi, al-Suyuti, al-Albani, and others. They have pointed out that this Hadith has a broken chain of narration and a doubtful wording. The narrator of this Hadith, Hisham ibn `Ammar, was accused of lying and fabricating Hadith by some scholars. Moreover, the word used for chess in this Hadith is shatranj, which was not known or played at the time of the Prophet (s). Chess was introduced to the Muslim world much later by the Persians and the Indians. Therefore, this Hadith cannot be taken as a proof for the prohibition of chess.

Furthermore, there are some authentic narrations that indicate the permissibility or even the recommendation of playing chess by some of the companions and successors of the Prophet (s). For example:

“Abu Hurayrah used to play chess with his friends.” (Ibn Sa`d)

“Amr ibn al-`As played chess with his son Abdullah.” (Ibn Abi Shaybah)

“Ali ibn Abi Talib said: ‘Nothing relaxes the mind like chess.’” (Ibn `Asakir)

These narrations show that chess was not considered haram by some of the pious predecessors who were close to the Prophet (s) and his teachings. Therefore, if chess is played without any gambling, wasting time, idolatry, or disobedience to Allah and His Messenger, then it is not haram and can be allowed by Muslims.

The Conditions and Etiquette for Playing Chess

Based on the above arguments, some scholars and Muslims conclude that chess is halal to play, as long as certain conditions and etiquette are observed. These include:

Playing chess without gambling or betting money or goods on it.
Playing chess moderately and responsibly, without neglecting one’s prayers, studies, work, family, or other obligations.
Playing chess without worshipping or venerating the figures or statues on the board, or attributing any power or authority to them.
Playing chess respectfully and peacefully, without causing enmity, hatred, or harm to oneself or others.
Playing chess for a lawful and beneficial purpose, such as learning, teaching, relaxing, or enjoying.

These conditions and etiquette are derived from the general principles and objectives of Islamic law, which aim to preserve the religion, life, intellect, wealth, and honor of Muslims. Therefore, if chess is played in accordance with these conditions and etiquette, then it is halal and permissible by Muslims.

Conclusion on Why is Chess Haram or Halal

Chess is a popular and ancient game that has been played by people of different cultures and religions. However, for some Muslims, chess is a controversial topic that raises questions about its permissibility in Islam. There are different opinions and arguments among scholars and Muslims regarding whether chess is halal or haram to play. Some consider it haram based on the reasons of gambling, wasting time, idolatry, and explicit prohibition by the Prophet (s) and his family (a). Others consider it halal based on the reasons of skill, knowledge, moderation, responsibility, and lack of clear evidence from the Quran or authentic Hadith. Ultimately, each Muslim should make an informed and sincere decision based on their own understanding and conscience. If one chooses to play chess, one should do so in a halal way that does not involve gambling, neglecting duties, worshipping idols, or disobeying Allah and His Messenger. If one chooses to avoid chess, one should do so out of respect and caution for the Islamic rulings and narrations that forbid it. In any case, one should always remember the purpose of life and seek the pleasure of Allah in everything one does.

Benjamin Miller

Benjamin Miller is the founder and editor of The Extra Game. He plays chess, scrabble and Monopoly at a masters level. He is a board game enthusiast, publisher, designer, and reviewer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. He loves to share his passion, knowledge, and recommendations for board games with the world.