In
Islam,
gambling
Gambling (also known as betting or gaming) is the wagering of something of value ("the stakes") on a random event with the intent of winning something else of value, where instances of strategy are discounted. Gambling thus requires three el ...
( ar, ميسر, translit=maisîr, maysir, maisira or ''qimâr'')
is absolutely forbidden ( ar,
harām, script=Latn).
''Maisir'' is totally prohibited by Islamic law (''
shari'a
Sharia (; ar, شريعة, sharīʿa ) is a body of religious law that forms a part of the Islamic tradition. It is derived from the religious precepts of Islam and is based on the sacred scriptures of Islam, particularly the Quran and the ...
'') on the grounds that "the agreement between participants is based on immoral inducement provided by entirely wishful hopes in the participants' minds that they will gain by mere chance, with no consideration for the possibility of loss".
[
]
Definitions
Both ''qimar'' and ''maisir'' refer to games of chance, but ''qimar'' is a kind (or subset) of ''maisir''.[
Author Muhammad Ayub defines ''maisir'' as "wishing something valuable with ease and without paying an equivalent compensation for it or without working for it, or without undertaking any liability against it by way of a game of chance",][ Jamaldeen as "any game of chance".][
]
In scripture
It is stated in the Quran
The Quran (, ; Standard Arabic: , Quranic Arabic: , , 'the recitation'), also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God. It is organized in 114 chapters (pl.: , s ...
that games of chance, including ''maisir'', are a "grave sin" and "abominations of Satan's handiwork". It is also mentioned in ahadith
Ḥadīth ( or ; ar, حديث, , , , , , , literally "talk" or "discourse") or Athar ( ar, أثر, , literally "remnant"/"effect") refers to what the majority of Muslims believe to be a record of the words, actions, and the silent approval ...
.
See also
* Khamr
Khamr ( ar, خمر) is an Arabic word for wine; intoxication; the plural form, Khumūr ( ar, خمور), is defined as alcoholic beverages, wine; liquor. In fiqh, it refers to certain forbidden substances, and its technical definition depends on ...
(Intoxicants)
* Sharia and securities trading
The Islamic banking and finance movement that developed in the late 20th century as part of the revival of Islamic identity Usmani, ''Introduction to Islamic Finance'', 1998: p. 6 sought to create an alternative to conventional banking that comp ...
References
{{Islam topics, state=collapsed
Islamic criminal jurisprudence
Islamic terminology
Gambling and society
Sin