Is playing chess haraam ?

[Afghanistan2010]

Pff haram this and haram that. In Islam alomst everything is haram, you are only allowed to work pray make babys and eat and drink, just do this things and I am 100% sure you will go to paradise, if it's exist.

A human is without laws similar to the animals he would do harm to himself and to others.

Rules make him realize that there are rights for him and others and these should be kept saved to live a harmonyful and peaceful life together.

[BarakzaiAbdali]

Sahih Muslim, Chapter 2: IT IS PROHIBITED TO PLAY CHESS
Book 28, Number 5612:

Buraida reported on the authority of his father that Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: He who played chess is like one who dyed his hand with the flesh and blood of swine.



Who wants to have a "let's burn our chessboards" party?

Wrong, historically the modern game of chess did not reach the Arabs till the expansion phase.

Scripturally, here is the discussion regarding the Arabic:

It should be quite interesting to note that the game that is generally mentioned as prohibited in sayings ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) is "Nard" or "Nardsheer". Mention of "****ranj" - the game that we know as "Chess" - can be found in some sayings, but these sayings do not come up to the level of authenticity required to safely ascribe the matter reported in these narratives to the Prophet (pbuh). It is because of this reason that there even exists a difference of opinion among Muslim Jurists regarding the prohibition or allowance of the game of Chess. Imam Malik and Imam Shafie` and their followers do not hold the game of Chess to be prohibited. On the other hand, the Jurists who do hold the game to be prohibited, base their opinion, not on any saying of the Prophet (pbuh), but by relating it to the prohibition of "Nard" or "Nardsheer". However, deriving the prohibition of Chess from the prohibition of "Nard" seems quite inappropriate keeping in mind the fact that "Nard" is primarily a game of dice (chance) and was played with stakes which qualified it as gambling, while Chess, on the other hand, is a game of mental ability.
In my opinion, therefore, the opinion of Imam Malik and Imam Shafie` in the referred matter seems to be more appropriate. No reasonable grounds exist to prohibit the game of Chess.

http://www.understanding-islam.com/q...-of-chess-5265

As should be obvious from the writing of the learned scholar, the opinion of all the scholars who hold chess to be prohibited is primarily based on some narratives ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) and some sayings ascribed to some of the companions of the Prophet. It, therefore, seems quite logical that any analysis of the opinion of the scholars should actually start with an analysis of the sayings ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh).
All of the narratives ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) referred to by the learned scholar are cited by Al-Shawkaani in his book "Nayl al-Awtaar" in the chapter titled "Baab Tehrim al-Qimaar" (i.e. "the chapter relating to the prohibition of wagers/gambling").
An interesting fact that the author has overlooked regarding all four of these narratives is that in none of these narratives is the prohibition of chess clearly mentioned. All four of these narratives only mention the prohibition of "Al-Nard", which implies a dice-based board game (like backgammon). The only common element in "Al-Nard" and "Al-****ranj" (i.e. chess) is that both are board games. Obviously, this common feature is not enough to include chess in the list of prohibitions with "Al-Nard", especially when the reason for the prohibition of the former is the inherent element of chance (being a dice-based game) rather than being a board game. Thus, the parenthetical addition of the words "or chess" by the learned author does not seem to be appropriate in the first and the third narratives cited by him. The second narrative, even as quoted by the author does not include "chess" in the stated prohibition. Finally, the words "parable of that person who plays chess" in the fourth narrative actually should have been "parable of that person who plays Al-Nard".
The learned author states:

Apart from these games, if a sport or game where there is religious or worldly benefit then it is subject to the following conditions:

1. there is nothing contrary to the Shari`ah; and
2. there should be no resemblance with other communities.

Firstly, it is important to note that neither the Qur'an nor any narrative ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) prohibit any game which does not have a negative moral implication on those who participate in it. A game is generally played for entertainment, and Islam does not prohibit entertainment, unless the entertainment in question is one, which, in any way, has a negative effect on the personality, character or morality of the participants. Thus, the condition that a game to be considered allowed in Islam should possess some "religious or worldly" benefits does not seem appropriate.
The first qualification (i.e. there is nothing contrary to the Shari`ah) is correct. However, the author has failed to mention any aspect of the game of chess which is "contrary to the Shari`ah". The second qualification, (i.e. there should be no resemblance with other communities) also seems to be without any basis. However, even if it is presumed to be a valid qualification, the author has not pointed out any aspect of chess in which it resembles any other community.
The learned author further states:

In addition, the Holy Qur'an has used the words 'lahw' and 'laib', which the Jurists of Islam have made reference to games and pastimes. Primarily, Allah Ta'ala has sent us to this world to worship and remember Him. Therefore, our aim must be to please Him.

Unfortunately, the author has overlooked the fact that even though the Qur'an has used the two words, yet nowhere does the Qur'an prohibit 'lahw' and 'laib' (i.e. games and pastimes). I agree with the author that to gain the everlasting bliss of the hereafter, a person should always be concerned about accumulating all the good deeds that he can. However, this concern and hunger for good deeds does not in any way prohibit taking part in entertainments like games and pastimes.
The author states:

In the book Al Basaair it is stated in one Hadith:

When they pass on those people playing Azlaam, chess, backgammon and similar games, do not greet them; and if they do greet you then do not reply (their greeting).

This narrative has also been cited by Al-Shawkaani in his book "Nayl al-Awtaar". Immediately after mentioning this narrative, Al-Shawkaani has quoted Ibn Kathir'scomment on narratives regarding the prohibition of chess. Ibn Kathir is quoted to have said: "None of the narratives in this connection are sahih [i.e. authentic]".
The author has also quoted Hadhrat Ali (ra) as having said to people when he saw them playing chess: "What is this? What are these images for which you have gathered here?". I fail to understand what sort of derivation does the author implies to have made from this statement of Hadhrat Ali (ra). Such an interrogative statement can as easily be perceived as a simple question as an expression of disapproval.
Finally, the comment ascribed to Hadhrat Umar (ra) (I.e. "Their actions are like those of the idol worshippers") is simply incomprehensible. There is absolutely no resemblance between a game of chess and the practice of idol worship. Why would a reasonable person like Hadhrat Umar (ra) compare chess to idol worship? It is obvious that either the saying is wrongly ascribed to the great caliph, or any one among its narrators was mistaken in comprehending the words spoken by Hadhrat Umar (ra).
It should be quite clear from the above discussion that there is no basis in the Qur'an, the Sunnah or in any sayings ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) to prohibit the game of chess

http://www.understanding-islam.com/d...-of-chess-8335

[Toramana]

Those who day and night dream about hoors can not have the intelligence to play intricate games like chess...

[BarakzaiAbdali]

Those who day and night dream about hoors can not have the intelligence to play intricate games like chess...

Not so! They dream of hoors and get married and begin the intricate chess game that is married life.

[Michin Khel]

Is angraizano game cricket is haraam in islam?