What is the reason for prohibiting the game of chess if its purpose is entertainment and the development of thinking and planning, and it does not include any other prohibitions such as neglecting prayer, animosity, or what is embodied or a cross?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The statement regarding the prohibition of playing chess is transmitted from the Companions, and it is the view of the majority of scholars. This prohibition serves to block the means (sadd al-dhari'a) to falling into falsehood, because this game, in most cases, is not free from the presence of objectionable matters.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/80789
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 80789
- 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