Prayer TimesEvery year, the variety of games for adults and children, whether played individually or in groups, online or offline, continues to grow. Games like Monopoly, Fant, and Erudit are among them.
Such games can be useful for entertainment, relaxation, developing children's thinking and attention, sparking interest in learning, and fostering quick-wittedness and agility. However, if a person wastes most of their time playing games, becomes addicted, neglects their studies, work, or daily responsibilities, turns the game into gambling, or if the game leads to arguments, sin, or crime, then one should avoid such games.
According to Islam, it is forbidden to play such games if any of the following are present:
Betting money or any prize on the game (for example, the loser pays for food or buys something for the winner). This is considered gambling.
In the Noble Qur'an: "They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, 'In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.'" (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:219).
Spending too much time on games and neglecting religious duties (for example, missing the five daily prayers or not performing them at all).
In the Holy Qur'an: "Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times." (Surah An-Nisa, 4:103).
Neglecting worldly responsibilities (such as not going to work or skipping classes). Every Muslim is responsible for their family relationships and well-being. Any entertainment or amusement should not interfere with these duties.
Engaging in deceit, belittling others, or using force during the game—actions prohibited by Shariah.
This ruling applies to all games. If any of these signs are present in a game, including Monopoly, it is forbidden to play it.
Hasan AMANKUL,
"Munara" newspaper, No.2, 2022
This content was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor.