What is Maisir (Games of Chance) in Islam?

Maisir, or games of chance, refers to acquiring wealth easily by chance rather than through effort. The Quran forbids it as a 'grave sin' and an 'abomination of Satan's handiwork' (Quran 5:90), because it creates wealth from chance instead of productive activity and one person's gain comes from another's loss.

Why is gambling forbidden (haram) in Islam?

Gambling is forbidden in Islam primarily because it is a tool of Satan used to create enmity and hatred among people. The Quran (5:91) states that it also distracts believers from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer, leading to severe social and spiritual harm, financial ruin, and neglect of responsibilities.

Are lotteries and betting considered games of chance in Islam?

Yes, Islamic scholars universally agree that lotteries, betting (e.g., on sports), and raffles where participants pay for a chance to win a prize are all modern forms of maisir. They fit the definition of gaining wealth by chance at the expense of others, which is strictly prohibited.

Games of Chance (Maisir) in Islam: Quranic Prohibition and Wisdom

Games of Chance

At a Glance

According to search-discovered classical Islamic scholarship, Games of Chance, known in Arabic as *al-maisir* (الميسر), are unequivocally prohibited (*haram*) and constitute a major sin. The term literally means 'getting something with ease' and refers to any transaction where wealth is acquired purely by chance at the expense of others, rather than through productive effort. In the Quran, this prohibition was revealed gradually, first in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:219) where its sinfulness is declared greater than its benefit, and then definitively in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:90-91), where it is branded an 'abomination of Satan's handiwork.' Classical commentators like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that the wisdom behind this absolute ban is to prevent the social evils of enmity, hatred, and greed that arise when one person's gain is another's loss. Furthermore, gambling distracts individuals from the core duties of remembering Allah and performing prayer, thereby corrupting both society and individual spirituality. This prohibition extends to all modern forms, including lotteries, betting, and speculative transactions that rely on chance rather than legitimate commercial risk.

📖 Quranic Context

A major sin (kabirah) strictly prohibited as a satanic act that fosters enmity and diverts from God's remembrance.

Engaging in maisir is an act of disobedience that severs one's connection with Allah and follows the footsteps of Satan.

References: Appears in 2:219, 5:90, 5:91.

💭 Theological Perspective

Exploits human greed and the desire for effortless gain, leading to addiction and moral decay.

Contributes to financial instability, anxiety, destruction of family relationships, and neglect of responsibilities.

The prohibition was revealed gradually, first highlighting its sinfulness (2:219) and later issuing a definitive ban (5:90-91).

Abstaining from games of chance is a crucial step in purifying one's wealth, character, and relationship with God.

📜 Hadith Perspective

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) condemned gambling so strongly that even inviting someone to gamble requires giving charity as an act of atonement.

Prohibition of dice games
Atonement for inviting others to gamble
Gambling as a characteristic of the pre-Islamic era of ignorance (Jahiliyyah)

There is a universal and indisputable consensus (ijma) among all Islamic scholars on the absolute prohibition of all forms of gambling.

💎 Deeper Insights

Search grounding reveals that the prohibition of *maisir* is fundamentally about protecting the Islamic concept of productive value. Unlike legitimate trade (Bay') where value is exchanged, or even commercial risk where effort is applied to manage uncertainty, *maisir* creates a zero-sum transfer of wealth based on pure chance, adding no real value to society. This is why it's a 'work of Satan' – it creates the illusion of gain while being fundamentally destructive.

— Al-Qurtubi, Contemporary Islamic Finance Scholars

Cross-verse synthesis of 5:90-91 reveals a 'Spiritual Poisoning' framework. The verse lists intoxicants (*khamr*) and gambling (*maisir*) together because they function similarly: both intoxicate the soul. *Khamr* intoxicates the mind directly, while *maisir* intoxicates the heart with greed, false hope, and anxiety. Both ultimately lead to the same outcome mentioned in verse 91: enmity, hatred, and being cut off from the remembrance of Allah. The prohibition is not just financial, but a spiritual quarantine.

— Ibn Kathir, Sayyid Qutb