Lesson 8 The Prohibited Games and Depicting That Which Has a Soul

Among the sins of the hand is playing the many unlawful games. Among them are: dice, cards, and the like. These games are prohibited because they rely on guessing, not on thinking and calculating.

These prohibited games result in fights among people and other evil things.

Throwing Dice: The die is also called nardashir as it was made for the first Persian king.

The Prophet, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, said:

مَنْ لَعِبَ بِالنَّرْدَشِيرِ فَكَأَنَّمَا غَمَسَ يَدَهُ فِي لَحْمِ خِنْزِيرٍ وَدَمِهِ

Man la^iba bin-Nardashiri faka’annama ghamasa yadahu fi lahmi khinziriw wadamih.

Which means: “The one who plays with dice is similar to the one who submerges his hand in the flesh and blood of a pig.” (Narrated by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah.)

Playing Cards: Playing cards is forbidden just like playing with dice, because every game that is based on guessing (chance), but not on calculation and thinking, is haram.

Dominoes: It is among the games that are played by guessing and chance.

Note: When the above-mentioned games are played where money will be lost, playing them becomes gambling, which is among the major sins.

Chess: It is not like dice, because its basis is calculation and thinking before moving. What was narrated from the Prophet dispraising chess is not confirmed. This game was made to help in learning strategies, and good management. It is also helpful with preparing for war and mathematical calculations. Still it is disliked to play it.

To depict that which has a soul: Among the sins of the hands is to depict that which has a soul, whether it is sculptured, carved in a ceiling or a wall, drawn on a paper, woven in a cloth, or otherwise. Exempted from this are the little girls’ baby dolls. This prohibition stands as long as the living being is depicted in a way that the depicted would live if it were real. An example is a full-body drawing or sculpture of an animal.

Questions:

1. List some of the prohibited games.

2. Why were these games prohibited?

3. What is nardashir? What is the proof that it is prohibited?

4. Why is it prohibited to play with cards?

5. What is the judgment of playing chess? For what was it made?

6. What is the judgment about depicting that which has a soul? What is exempted from it?