Gaming
QUESTION:
Is it permissible to play games when one has free time? If a game has Stickman figures or just shadows of humans, would this be acceptable?
ANSWER:
Verily, Allah Ta’ala has created us for the purpose of His worship. One should adopt only those actions that lead us to the recognition, pleasure and nearness of Allah Ta’ala. Likewise, all futile and useless activities which result in no good in both the worlds should be abandoned. Allah Ta’ala says:
“And from among the people, there is he who buys the distracting amusement of things so that he, being devoid of knowledge, may mislead (people) from the Way of Allah and make a mockery of it. Such people are the ones for whom there is a disgraceful punishment.”
Gaming falls into the category of amusement and is thus, detested and should be avoided. The perfection of a person’s Imaan and obedience is in his abstinence from that which is useless and brings forth no goodness. The playing of games not only prevents a person from using time effectively, but generally involves listening to music and vulgar language, as well as viewing indecent material.
It will be impermissible to play any game which either:
(1) brings forth no good in this world or the Hereafter;
(2) entails anything contrary to Islamic law;
(3) comprises of more harm and evil than benefit and good;
(4) or is simply undertaken for amusement purposes and is a hindrance from total servitude to Allah Ta’ala.
(شامي ج٩ص٥٧٥-٥٧٦) فاللعب وهو اللهو حرام بالنص …استماع اللهو حرام
قال النبي (صلي الله عليه وسلم): من حسن اسلام المرأ تركه ما لايعنيه
ان اللهو علي أنواع: لهو مجرد ، ولهو فيه نفع وفائدة ولكن ورد الشرع بالنهي عنه ، ولهو فيه فائدة ولم يرد في الشرع نهي صريح عنه ، ولكنه ثبت بالتجربة أنه يكون ضرره أعظم من نفعه ملتحق بالمنهي عنه ، ولهو فيه فائدة ولم يرد الشرع بتحريمه ولم يغلب علي نفعه ضرره ولكن يشتغل فيه بقصد التلهي ، ولهو فيه فائدة مقصودة ولم يرد الشرع بتحريمه وليس فيه مفسدة دينية واشتغل به علي غرض صحيح لتحصيل الفائدة المطلوبة لا بقصد التلهي . فهذه خمسة أنواع لا جائز فيها إلا الأخير الخامس
احكام القران ج٣ص٢٠١
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Ahmed Saeed
Date: 19 Safar 1448 / 04 August 2026
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb