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Is it haram to play cards? Please explain why

Answered as per Shafi'i Fiqh by Qibla.com

Answered by Shaykh Amjad Rasheed

Is it haram to play cards? Please explain why

Answer:
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

The rule that is distinguishes permissible playing (from the impermissible) is: that which is based on and begun on conjecture and guessing is haram, however if after it is begun, the game depends on thought and reflection such as backgammon and all that is a part of it like the dice used in it (backgammon), all of it is haram.

As for that which is not based on conjecture and guessing, it is not haram such as chess.

So the questioner should look at the basis and starting point of playing cards.

If it is based on conjecture and guessing, it is haram, if not, then it isn’t. Some of the most venerable scholars such as the authors of the book, ‘al-Fiqh al Minhaji `ala madhhab al-imam al-Shafi’I’, have stated the unlawfulness of playing cards, because its basis is what I just mentioned, conjecture and guessing, and Allah knows best.

Amjad Rasheed

(Translated by Shazia Ahmad)

السؤال: هل يحرم العب بالأوراق ؟ ولماذا ؟ الجواب : القاعدة المبينة للعب المباح من غيره هي : أن ما كان مبناه ومبتدأه على الحزر والتخمين فهو حرامٌ وإن كان بعد الابتداء يعتمدُ على النظر وإعمال الفكر كالنردِ وكلِّ ما فيه ذلك الحجر الصغير المستعمل في النرد فكل ذلك حرام ، وما لم يكن مبناه على الحزر والتخمين فليس بحرام كالشطرنج . فلينظر السائلُ في مبنى ومبتدأ اللعب بالأوراق فإن كان على الحزر والتخمين حرم وإلا فلا ، وقد صرح بعضُ أجلاء علمائنا كأصحاب كتاب “الفقه المنهجي على مذهب الإمام الشافعي” بحرمة اللعب بالأوراق؛ لأنَّ مبناها على ما ذكرته من الحزر والتخمين ، والله أعلم .  

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