Dear Muslims!
Gambling is among the acts strictly prohibited by our sublime religion, Islam. Gambling involves an unjust gain, where one person's victory comes at the expense of another's loss. Gambling is a destructive habit that erodes feelings of love and brotherhood, while fueling hatred, enmity, and a desire for revenge. It is a disease that harms mental and spiritual well-being, disrupts peace in the family, and fosters selfishness and greed in individuals driven by the desire for gain.
Dear Believers!
In the 90th verse of Surah al-Ma'idah, Allah the Almighty (swt) declares gambling to be forbidden: "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."[1] Immediately following this verse, Allah the Almighty (swt) explains one of the reasons why gambling is prohibited: "Satan's plan is to stir up hostility and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling and to prevent you from remembering Allah and praying. Will you not then abstain?"[2]
Dear Muslims!
Any form of gambling is haram, regardless of its name, whether played in real life or online, and whether it is legal or not. For not everything that is legal is halal. Therefore, any game played at a table or in virtual environments, where the winner gains an unfair profit at the expense of the losers, is considered gambling and is haram. Betting on horse races is a form of gambling and is therefore haram. Any game based on cruelty, such as animal fighting, and any profits derived from such games, are considered gambling and are haram. All games of chance, including lotteries, scratch-offs, and those associated with New Year's Eve or special days and weeks, are forms of gambling and are haram. All forms of betting games played on digital platforms are considered gambling and are haram.
Dear Believers!
In Islam, the primary principle is to earn our sustenance through halal means. For this reason, charity or good deeds cannot be performed with money obtained through interest, gambling, or other haram means, in the hope of earning reward. Mosques and masjids cannot be built, nor can financial acts of worship such as hajj, zakat, and qurbani be performed.
Unfortunately, many people today are lured into the gambling trap through various online tricks and the influence of certain social media personalities. Many of our young people are drawn into the swamp of online gambling through mobile devices, online games, and e-sports. Broadcasts, newspapers, and even simple Web-based games promote gambling, encouraging even our young children to indulge in this harmful vice. However, it is a religious, moral, and humanitarian duty to block these advertisements that violate privacy, spread harams, and promote gambling on digital platforms and in various environments.
Dear Muslims!
Gambling is a material and spiritual destruction both for those who organize it and who participate in it. When people win at gambling, they harm others, and when they lose, they harm themselves. As with all addictions, the most effective way to protect oneself against gambling is to avoid starting in the first place and to steer clear of those who gamble or have others gamble. Therefore, let us distance ourselves from gambling, which has destroyed many homes, extinguished countless hearths, and caused innumerable disasters. To protect our youth and children from all forms of addiction, let us build relationships with them founded on love, affection, and trust. Let us strive to ensure they grow up surrounded by good friends and in safe environments. Let us never forget that gambling leads to grave sins, including drinking, lying, fraud, and even murder.
Esteemed Believers!
One of the key aspects of a khutbah is to listen attentively and share its message with those outside the mosque. Sharing this knowledge with our family, relatives, neighbors, and community will contribute to fostering social harmony.
I would like to conclude this Friday's khutbah with our beloved Prophet's (saw) following hadith: "No one has ever eaten better food than what he eats from the work done by his hands..."[3]
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[1] Ma'idah, 5/90.
[2] Ma'idah, 5/91.
[3] Bukhari, Buyu', 15.
General Directorate of Religious Services