Gambling

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever says to his companion, ‘Come, I will play you for stakes,’ must expiate by giving charity.” [Sahih Bukhari]

Suggesting that one play any game involving stakes requires one to give charity to remove from oneself the sin of such a suggestion. If merely suggesting that one gamble requires one to give charity in compensation then what should we assume about the actual sin of gambling. Gambling is in fact one of the enormities (kabaair) or major sins in Islam. It is a form of consuming others’ wealth unlawfully.

Allah Most High says, “Wine, gambling, idols, and fortune-telling arrows are but filth of the Devil’s handiwork, so shun it, that you may succeed. The Devil only wants to create enmity and hatred between you over wine and gambling, and to prevent you from remembering Allah and from prayer. Will you not then desist?” [Quran 5:90-91]