Many people wonder, is gambling a major sin in Islam? Beyond being a game of chance, gambling affects faith, wealth, and society. This article explores its definition, Quranic and prophetic evidence, harmful consequences, and the Islamic guidance to avoid it.
Understanding Gambling in Islam
The word gambling refers to any game between two or more players in which money is collected from them and given to the winner, while the loser is deprived of it.
There are many forms and types of gambling, including:
- Card games and dice games: where players agree that the loser pays the winner a sum of money.
- Television competitions: where participants are required to call a phone number with a very high cost. This cost itself becomes the money with which the person gambles.
- Betting: where two parties agree that one pays the other if a certain team wins a match or a race.
After understanding gambling in Islam, we move to the Quranic and Prophetic evidence of its prohibition.
Quranic Evidence on Gambling
There are many Quranic verses that prohibit gambling, including the verse in which Allah says:
“يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا ٱلْخَمْرُ وَٱلْمَيْسِرُ وَٱلْأَنصَابُ وَٱلْأَزْلَـٰمُ رِجْسٌۭ مِّنْ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ فَٱجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ٩٠”
O believers! Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and drawing lots for decisions are all evil of Satan’s handiwork. So shun them so you may be successful.
Among the Quranic evidence on gambling also is the saying of Allah:
“وَلَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِٱلْبَـٰطِلِ”
“Do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly.”
(Al-Baqarah 2:188)
Hadiths Related to Gambling
There are also many hadiths related to gambling, such as:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
«ألا لَا يَحِلُّ مَالُ امْرِئٍ إِلَّا بِطِيبِ نَفْسٍ مِنْهُ»
“A man’s property may not be taken except with his goodwill.”
Mishkat al-Masabih 2946
Another Hadith states:
عن أبي بكر رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال في خطبته يوم النحر بمنًى في حجة الوداع: ”إن دماءكم، وأموالكم، وأعراضكم حرام عليكم كحرمة يومكم هذا، في شهركم هذا، في بلدكم هذا، ألا هل بلغت”.
Abu Bakrah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: Delivering the sermon during the Farewell Pilgrimage on the day of Sacrifice at Mina, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Verily your blood, your property and your honour are as sacred and inviolable as the sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours and in this town of yours. Verily! I have conveyed this message to you.”
Why Is Gambling Considered a Major Sin?
Gambling is considered one of the major sins because it consumes people’s wealth unjustly, spreads enmity and hatred among them, encourages greed instead of lawful work, weakens individuals and societies, destroys families, and was clearly forbidden by Allah in the Quran as an evil act from Satan.
After answering the question, “Why is gambling considered a major sin?” let us move on to its social and personal consequences.
The Social and Personal Consequences of Gambling
There are many of The Social and Personal Consequences of gambling, the most important of which are:
Social harms of gambling:
- It consumes wealth unjustly.
- It spreads enmity and hatred between players.
- It causes conflicts and disputes within families, leading to broken homes.
Personal harms of gambling:
- It damages morals and distracts from the remembrance of Allah and prayer.
- It prevents productive work and causes anxiety, stress, and even diseases.
- It often leads to committing crimes.
One of the strongest proofs that is gambling a major sin in islam is the many personal and social harms it causes.
Differences Between Gambling and Permissible Forms of Risk
When asking is gambling a major sin in Islam, it is also important to clarify the differences between gambling and permissible forms of risk, since not every form of risk is haram.
The difference between the two is that gambling involves consuming wealth unjustly, with the aim of gaining more money based purely on chance.
Permissible risks, on the other hand, are lawful under Islamic rules, such as horse racing or competitions among students of knowledge. These are based on effort and skill, not luck.
How Does Islam Encourages Avoiding Gambling?
Many ask, how does Islam encourage avoiding gambling?
The answer is that Islam encourages avoiding gambling through its explicit prohibition in the Quran and Sunnah, while also explaining the reasons behind this prohibition: it is an evil act of Satan, causes enmity and hatred, and distracts from Allah’s remembrance and prayer.
Ways Islam encourages avoiding gambling include:
- Strengthening faith: Commitment to Islamic values helps resist the temptation of gambling.
- Using free time productively: Engaging in beneficial sports and social activities prevents boredom that may lead to gambling.
- Avoiding bad company: Staying away from friends who encourage gambling or unlawful behavior.
- Raising awareness: Educating people about the harmful effects of gambling on personal, social, and economic life.
What to Do If One Has Fallen Into Gambling?
There are practical steps to solve this problem, such as
- Admit the problem: Recognize that gambling may lead to addiction.
- Seek professional help: Consult a psychologist or addiction counselor to assess your situation and create a treatment plan.
- Set financial limits: Do not put yourself in situations that lead to borrowing money or repeating gambling behavior.
- Stay connected with others: seek support from family and friends, do not isolate yourself, and share your struggle with them.
- Seek spiritual support: Ask Allah for forgiveness, make du‘a, and read the Quran to find strength against addiction.
- Stay active: Avoid idleness by working hard and seeking lawful income.
- Improve your behavior: With cognitive behavioral therapy, you can correct negative thoughts that drive you to gamble and build healthy coping skills.
Thus, we answer the question, “What to Do If One Has Fallen Into Gambling?”
Conclusion
In conclusion, is gambling a major sin in Islam? The answer is clear: yes. The Quran and Sunnah explicitly forbid it, highlighting its destructive impact on faith, families, and society.
By avoiding gambling and seeking lawful means of earning, Muslims protect their wealth, strengthen their faith, and build healthier communities.
Since gambling is one of the major sins warned against in Islam, the best way to prevent it is to learn the Quran and Sunnah with awareness and deep understanding.
At Rahiq Academy, we provide specialized online courses that help you understand the true teachings of Islam, strengthen your connection with Allah, and protect you from falling into prohibited acts like gambling.
Join thousands of learners today at Rahiq Academy and begin your journey towards faith and authentic knowledge.
