What is the difference between gambling (qimar) and maysir?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Scholars have differed regarding the distinction between qimar (gambling) and (games of chance). Some consider qimar to be more general than maysir, while others equate them. Their legal ruling is the same: prohibition, based on the Almighty's saying: (O YOU WHO HAVE BELIEVED, INDEED, INTOXICANTS, GAMBLING [AL-MAYSIR], IDOLATROUS SACRIFICES [AL-ANSAB], AND DIVINING ARROWS [AL-AZLAM] ARE BUT DEFILEMENT FROM THE WORK OF SATAN, SO AVOID IT THAT YOU MAY SUCCEED). And in the : "Whoever says to his companion: 'Come, let me gamble with you,' let him give charity."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/31897
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 31897
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy