Any past time games whether on video, computer, etc. falls in the category
of Lahw and Laáb (useless and pasttime) hence, not permissible.
Allah Taãla – the Creator of our Universe – declares in the Noble Qurãn,
“I have not created Man and Jinn except for (the purpose) of worship.”(Qurãn
51:57)
When our Maker and Rabb whom we, the creation are accountable to, invariably
states our purpose in this world then our objective will be just that
despite any human being thinking otherwise. No creation can change this
directive.
Having said that, the Noble Qurãn on no less than five places warns about
this worldly life – that this life is but a sport and a past-time. The two
words used are ‘lahw’ and ‘laáb’ which the Jurists have defined as games,
sports, and past-times. Basically ‘lahw’ and ‘laáb’ do not bring any benefit
and together takes one away from the remembrance of Allah Taãla and the
Hereafter.
Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, “Every game of man is Haraam
except three: a man plays with his wife, breaking (training) one’s horse and
archery.”
In another Hadith, Ibn Umar (Radhiyallaahu Ánhu) reports that Rasulullah
(Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, “Teach your children swimming and
archery.”
Jurists have commented that a sport/game :
a) which has no religious Or worldly benefit is not permissible;
b) which has worldly or religious benefit is subjected to the following
conditions:
i) that none of it should be contrary to the Shariáh
ii) that it (the sport/game) should not resemble the sport/games
specifically identified with other religious communities e.g. Yoga; which
may have some worldly and/or religious benefit but includes an
impermissible act e.g. wrestling (exposing the awrah).
Due to the many evils in contemporary sports, it is not permissible to earn
one’s living through that.
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.