I begin with the name of Allaah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
“O you who believe! Khamr (intoxicants), Maysir (gambling), Ansab (altar stones for sacrifices to idols), and Azlam (arrows use for lottery) are a Rijis (abomination) of Shaytan’s handiwork. So avoid that in order that you may be successful.” Qur’an 5:90
No religion has succeeded to the extent that Islam has. The above verse contains the key to prosperity in this world and the life after. Avoiding all forms of intoxicants, gambling, idol worship and lottery attracts prosperity and success. If the Muslims heed the warning, they will prosper. Any society whose leadership fails to engage its teeming population in productive endeavor is destined to lose its future no matter how long it takes. It was said that when capitalism was young the old puritanical concept of duty was, “he who does not work shall not eat” but unfortunately man has to eat by any means necessary if the society denies him work. However, adopting the doctrine of “by any means necessary” might not necessarily be morally right in all situations as is the case of seeking wealth through gambling, betting and lottery especially for soccer fanatics of this era.
Gambling/betting is as addictive as intoxicants if not more, but just as it is with the tobacco industry, the henchmen of betting industry keep promoting the slogan that “winners know when to stop”. However, the reality is “winners do not know when to stop” until they are completely drawn into it and are finished financially, psychological and become suicidal. Now will the society fold its arms and watch the cancer of betting and gambling dominate its economic-scape until it reaches every corner of the society from the cities to rural areas and even remote settlements? Traveling across Nigeria exposes anyone to the reality of how far reaching betting/gambling is, it is bet9ja, bet365, everywhere. Is there nothing the traditional institution, the supposedly custodian and guardian of morality will do to tame this moral cancer of betting disguised as a recreational activity with financial benefit?
The legal ruling concerning gambling/betting in Islam is not contestable. It is as clear as the bright moonlight on the fifteenth day of the lunar Month. Qur’anic injunction is clear on it as enshrined in Qur’an 5:90 Shaykh Sayyid Saabiq (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Fiqh al-Sunnah that It is not permissible to bet in any case where money is offered by all, so that the one who wins will take all the bets, and if a person loses he will lose to his companions, because this comes under the heading of gambling, which is haraam.
Allaah Exalted be He says: “They ask you (O Muhammad) concerning alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: ‘In them is a great sin, and (some) benefits for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit.” Qur’an 2:219. In Fataawa Islamiyyah, Shaykh Uthameen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said this gambling – which is any transaction in which a person may win or lose, and he does not know whether he will be a winner or a loser – is all haraam. Indeed, it is one of the major sins, and its abhorrent nature is no secret when one realizes that Allaah mentions it in conjunction with idol-worship, alcohol and azlaam (arrows for seeking luck or decision). Whatever benefits may be hoped for from gambling pale into insignificance beside the harm that it causes.
Gambling/betting is tearing not only individuals apart but also families and societies. Journals, newspapers, websites, blogs and magazines are filled with writings detailing how bad and destructive gambling/betting is. But before the inception of all these writings on the evil consequences of gambling/betting, the Muslim world has been nurtured more than 1400 years ago on such moral standards that gambling/betting automatically becomes alien and completely strange to the Muslims. Allaah Exalted be He, gave an amazing reason behind prohibiting this devil’s deception, He says: “Shaytan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with Khamr and Maysir, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allaah and from the Salah (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain.” Qur’an 5:91. The one that bets and gambles often overlook the ways of earning legitimate wealth prescribed by Allaah and instead relies on accidents, luck and wishful thinking and this fuels enmity and hatred among those involved because it is mainly an unlawful consumption of each other’s wealth.
Furthermore, betting especially as it relates to football, which has unfortunately bedevilled most youth today, leads to a total waste of time and effort, breeds laziness among the Muslims and pushes them away from Allaah’s remembrance. When the heart is not filled with the remembrance of Allaah, then all evil actions become easy and attractive, hence alcohol, drugs and other social vices. If one is told that about 70% of active youth are directly or indirectly involved in one form of betting or the other, it would be correct and this is how badly affected the society is.
It was said in Qadaayaa al-Lahw wa’l-Tarfeeh, that how many families have become poor because of gambling? How many mouths have gone hungry, how many bodies have become naked or been clothed in nothing but rags? How many marriages have failed, how many jobs have been lost, because of a person who stole money to support his gambling habit? How many men have sold their religion and honor at the gambling table? Gambling destroys everything, even when the aim is money. It includes wine, smoking, bad company, darkness, confusion, cheating, hatred, watching for opportunities to take advantage of others, deception and all other kinds of evil.
For those addicted or have ever taken part in this online betting trend, there is still hope, Allaah forgives all sins as long as they are accompanied by a sincere repentance. Fulfil the conditions of repentance and with respect to gambling/betting, the hadith states: “Whoever swears and says in his oath ‘By al-Laat and al-‘Uzza,’ let him say ‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah (there is no god but Allaah).’ And whoever says to his companion, ‘Come on, let’s gamble,’ let him give in charity.” Al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah. Charity surely extinguishes the ill-effect of betting.
I implore those in the position of authority to look deep into the laws establishing lottery and gambling businesses, analyze the social and economic effects in order to do the needful.
Mr Abdul, an architect, is the Chairman/CEO Sustainable Project Works (SPW) Ltd). Twitter: @Penabdull, Instagram: @Penabdul
