Q: Can a person play a board game wherein you have to roll a dice? Many people believe that it is impermissible to play with dice.
A: The Quran has stated:
There are some people who purchase futile discourse to deviate from Allah’s path without knowledge, making a mockery of it (Allah’s path). There shall be a humiliating punishment for these people. (Surat Luqman:6)
The above interpretation of ‘futile discourse’ by Hazrat Hasan Basri (ra) is corroborated by a hadith in which Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said that every futile (pointless) act may be regarded as part of falsehood, except the following three seemingly playful acts:
Archery
Training one’s horse
Playful behavior with one’s wife
Hazrat Abu Huraira (ra) reports that, upon seeing a person chase a pigeon (as a sport), Rasulullah (saw) commented, “This is one Shaytaan running after another Shayaan.” (Anwarul Bayaan vol. 7, pg. 31)
Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam has mentioned that only sinners play chess and that it is a category of falsehood, which Allah detests. (Mishkaat pg. 387)
The Ahadeeth does not mention about ‘playing cards’ because it was not present at the time of Nabi sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. It is haraam to play cards and board games if gambling is involved. If no gambling is involved it will be permitted only if it does not distract one from Allah’s remembrance, and it does not prevent one in fulfilling his/her Shar’ee duties, and does not have any elements which are against the Shariah.
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