Is gambling haram in Islam?
Quick Answer
Yes, all forms of gambling (maisir) are explicitly forbidden in the Quran. This includes lotteries, casino games, betting, and any game of chance where money is risked for potential gain.
Detailed Answer
Gambling (maisir/qimar) is unequivocally prohibited.
Quran 5:90-91: 'O you who believe, intoxicants, gambling, sacrificing on stone altars, and divining arrows are abominations of Satan's handiwork. So avoid them that you may be successful. Satan only wants to cause animosity and hatred between you through intoxicants and gambling, and to turn you away from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?'
What counts as gambling: - Lottery tickets and raffles for paid entry - Casino games (poker, roulette, slot machines) - Sports betting - Online betting platforms - Office betting pools - Day-trading patterns based purely on speculation - Some financial derivatives
What is NOT gambling: - Insurance with risk-pooling cooperative model (takaful) - Skill-based competitions (chess tournaments, sports prizes paid by sponsors) - Investing in real businesses (with skill and analysis) - Free raffles where no money is risked
Why it is harmful: - Wealth obtained without legitimate work or value creation - One person's gain is another's direct loss - Addiction destroys families and lives - Diverts from worship and productive work
Winnings from gambling: must be donated to charity (without seeking reward) and the practice must be repented from.
Sources
- Quran 2:219, 5:90-91
Disclaimer: This answer is educational guidance based on authentic sources. For binding rulings on personal matters, please consult a qualified Islamic scholar.