Playing chess

Q. Is it permissible to play chess?

A. In a hadith of Muslim Sharif, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"The one who plays "Nardshir" (backgammon - a game played with checkers and dice on a special two-compartment board) has, so to speak, waded his hands in the flesh and blood of the pig."

Commenting on this hadith, Allaamah An-Nawawi (Rahimahullah) says that "to wade one's hands" here means to fiddle around with one's hands (in the blood and flesh of the pig) while eating.

Based on the prohibition of backgammon, the Salf-e-Saaliheen has also prohibited chess. According to the narration of Baihaqi, Hazrat 'Ali (Radiyallahu anhu) considered chess as "Maisir". It should be noted that Maisir (game of chance) refers to the forbidden Maisir which Allah Ta'ala refers to in verse 90 of Surah 5 where it is said:

"O you who have Imaan! Indeed, liquor, gambling ... are filthy and evil acts of Shaytaan." (5:90)

Furthermore, Allah Ta'ala says:

"Shaytaan only wants to cast enmity and hatred among you by means of liquor and gambling and wants to prevent you from the remembrance of Allah and Salah." (5:91)

Those who have intelligence and experience know very well that certainly chess diverts from Zikrullaah and Salah to a greater degree than 'Nardshir'. This is why Hazrat Abdullah Bin Umar (Radiyallahu anhuma) said:

"Chess is worse than Nardshir."

The eminent Taabi'i and famous Imam Al Qasim Bin Muhammad (Rahimahullah) said:

"Whatever diverts us from Zikrullah and Salah is Maisir."

Chess, being worse than backgammon, is even more prohibited. It is same as saying: hitting parents is worse than saying "Oof" to them, which has been prohibited in the Qur'an-e-Karim.

Undoubtedly, chess cannot be permitted on the pretext that there are certain advantages in this game, because we must not forget that Allah Ta'ala has forbidden Khamr and Maisir while admitting that they have certain advantages. However, since there are more harms than benefits in these things, Allah Ta'ala has declared them haram. Therefore, in summary, just as Maisir and Khamr are not permitted because their harms exceed their benefits, in the same way playing chess is not permitted, despite the alleged benefits. This game constitutes an obstacle to Zikrullah and Salah, two Ibaadaat‎ whose non-fulfilment cancels any benefit that one could derive from chess.

[English version of " Jouer aux échecs" – Al Haadi – Vol. 3 No. 1]