Ghulamhusein was a popular social figure and a keen host of guests coming to him from distant lands. He lived in Moshi, a beautiful small town at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
He was generous and hospitable to one and all. One of his hobbies during leisure hours particularly on Saturdays and Sundays was to play the game of cards with his friends. For hours they used to get together where they enjoyed the game. It was not with the aim of gambling but rather just for pleasure and pass time.
Once in the midst of a lively game of cards, his servant came to inform him that a guest of his was seriously ill at the guest house and needed his immediate attention. He sent the servant back saying he would come soon.
But he was so much engrossed in the game of cards that he did not feel inclined to withdraw from it. So he continued to play with keen interest.
After a while, his servant came again to report that the condition of the guest was deteriorating and needed his urgent attention as there was no one else to attend. But Ghulamhusein was so deeply engrossed in the game that he did not want to be disturbed. As such, again he sent the servant back promising to come soon.
By the time he could be free from the very mind-captivating game of cards, the servant came for the third time. But this time he reported that the guest of. his – a poor traveller from distant lands – had already died. This news gave a shock of his life to Ghulamhusein. It convinced him of the evil and harmful effect of such an indoor game. There and there he vowed never to indulge himself in such a game.
Is this not an eye-opening example of an intoxicating and mentally distracting game of cards, commonly played today either as a pass-time or for gambling purposes? Perhaps it also explains the philosophy behind absolute Islamic forbidance to play or watch such a game, even without the chance of gaining or losing money. It is meant to be a prevention rather than cure lest man is one day tempted to use the game for gambling purposes. But why do people become interested in such games of chance, be it cards, billiard ball or chess at casinos and gambling dens? A number of reasons could be put forward for this.
A mentally active young man happens to look for a time-pass, away from his usual home or office environment, and, he is misled to believe that a casino or a billiard club is the best place for this. Or it is possible that he is tempted by a friend for his company to play a game. But more than that, it is the greed and temptation of an easy and quick chance of making money by gambling. Again he is misled to believe that he is lagging behind whilst his friend and relatives mint millions of easy money in the gambling dens.
A gambler often spends hours at the gambling dens at the expense of his valuable time for his other moral and religious duties towards his Allah and family. Should he lose in one game of chance, he is tempted to play again and again till he recoveres his loss. Should he win and make some money, he is again tempted to play in order to double and treble his day’s easy earning from the game of chance. Thus, the mind of a gambler becomes currupt and his aim of life revolves round money. His goal of life ultimately is to mint money, more and more.
His mind is so much distracted that he is no more able to concentrate in his normal job or studies. In the temptation of making more or easy money, his heart is all the time drawn and attached to the gambling table. And when the tide turns against him and he incurs losses after losses in the gambling business, the time comes when he is obliged to dispose off his personal belongings to pay off the debts. The family life at home becomes disrupted as a result and he is then detested and looked down upon by the society and his own family members.
Islam which has come as a total code of life for man, has condemned and forbidden every game of chance. The following ayats of the holy Qura’n are a good guidance. “They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: In both of them there is a great sin and means of profit for men, and their sin is greater than their profit. And they ask you as to what they should spend. Say: What you can spare. Thus does Allah make clear to you the communications, that you may ponder” 1
Ithm as used in the Qura’n is interpreted as that sinful condition in the human intellect and soul whereby he is distracted and kept away from reaching acts of goodness and perfection. Therefore, what it means is that drinks and gambling – two of the major sins in Islam – as the source of great harm to human body and soul.
“The Shaitan only desires to cause enmity and hatred to spring in your midst by means of intoxicants and games of chance, and to keep you off from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. Will you then desist?”
2 It is quite evident from the above verses of Holy Qura’n that the enmity and hatred in addition to distraction from the rememberance of Allah and prayers results from gambling and drinking.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) and his progency have strongly condemned the games of chance.
Imam Radha (a.s.) has said:
“Allah has described gambling as a filthy and impure act of Satan and has warned people to keep away from it”
Can a wise man and a true Muslim ever think of going near to Satanic games of chance and take the risk of ruining his life? Certainly not!! 3
