Maisir

In Islam, gambling (Arabic: ميسر, romanizedmaisîr, maysir, maisira or قمار qimâr)[1] is forbidden (Arabic: حَرَام, romanizedharaam). Maisir is totally prohibited by Islamic law (Arabic: شريعة, romanizedshari'a) on the grounds that "the agreement between participants is based on immoral inducement provided by entirely wishful hopes in the participants' minds that they will gain by mere chance, with no consideration for the possibility of loss".[1]

Definitions

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Both qimar and maisir refer to games of chance, but qimar is a kind (or subset) of maisir.[2] Author Muhammad Ayub defines maisir as "wishing something valuable with ease and without paying an equivalent compensation for it or without working for it, or without undertaking any liability against it by way of a game of chance",[2] Another source, Faleel Jamaldeen, defines it as "the acquisition of wealth by chance (not by effort)".[3] Ayub defines qimar as "also mean[ing] receipt of money, benefit or usufruct at the cost of others, having entitlement to that money or benefit by resorting to chance";[2] Jamaldeen as "any game of chance".[3]

In scripture

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It is stated in the Qur'an that games of chance which include money, including maisir, are a "grave sin" and "abominations of Satan's handiwork". It is also mentioned in the ahadith.

They ask you about wine and gambling. Say: 'In them both lies grave sin, though some benefit, to mankind. But their sin is more grave than their benefit.'

O believers, wine and gambling, idols and divining arrows are an abhorrence, the work of Satan. So keep away from it, that you may prevail. Satan only desires to arouse discord and hatred among you with wine and gambling, and to deter you from the mention of God and from prayer. Will you desist?

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Whoever swears saying in his oath. 'By Al-lāt and al-‘Uzzá,' should say, 'None has the right to be worshipped but God; and whoever says to his friend, 'Come, let me gamble with you,' should give something in charity."

— Sahih Bukhari, Book 78 (Oaths and Vows), hadith 645

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Islamic Finance. Q&A. What is the Difference Between Qimar and Maisir?". investment-and-finance. Sep 21, 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Ayub, Muhammad (2007). Understanding Islamic Finance. Wiley. ISBN 9780470687710. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  3. ^ a b Jamaldeen, Faleel (2012). Islamic Finance For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. p. 17. ISBN 9781118233900. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  4. ^ Quran 2:219 Quran Surah Al-Baqara ( Verse 219 )
  5. ^ Quran 5:90–91