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Example 4 - Games of Chance
Games of chance are being promoted in newspapers, in schools, on grocery labels, on TVs and on radios – they
are almost everywhere. They are a big temptation for us. Who doesn’t want to win a car, or anything for free for that
matter? Unfortunately, games of chance, whatever name they carry, are no better or worse than gambling or lottery. Any game
where one gambles with chance is a game of chance and therefore gambling. The people who promote this game would certainly
not go with the word gambling because the Qur’an categorically forbids gambling. Instead they use fancy names like ‘Lucky
Draw’, ‘Raffle’ ‘Scribble and Win’ etc. I repeat any game of chance is gambling and gambling
is forbidden by Allah (S.W.A). He speaks:
“They ask you concerning wine and gambling,
Say: 'In them is a great sin, and some profit for men; but the sin is greater than the profit (2:219)”
“Oh
you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication) of stones, and (divination by) arrows are an abomination – of
Shaitan’s handiwork; askew such (abomination) that you may prosper. (5:90)
“Shaitan’s plan is to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling and
hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer: will you not then abstain? (5:91)”
“Obey Allah and obey the messenger and beware (of evil): If you do turn back, know
you that it is our messenger’s duty to proclaim (the message) in the clearest manner. (5:92)”
My dear friends, games of chance are very appealing and tempting, but we are not supposed to play them. Let us restrain
ourselves. No matter what we can win from them,we must sacrifice it to win Allah (S.W.A)'s favor and to save our souls. If
you have not started playing them, never start because they are very addictive. If you are doing them, you have to go
cold turkey and quit while you are still breathing. You do not want to return to your Lord with a habit you know is out
of favor with Him. Just quit. Refuse
your hands to play them; refuse your feet to walk you to them. Refuse your eyes to see them. Command your mind not to care
about them. You are in charge and the boss; the choice to quit is yours.
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