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Top Saudi cleric says chess is 'forbidden' in Islam

 

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Top Saudi cleric says chess is forbidden in Islam

Dubai - Arab twitterati has mixed reaction on statement. Muslims, who introduced chess to Europe, have been playing the game since the 7th century.

By AP

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Published: Fri 22 Jan 2016, 3:56 PM

Last updated: Sat 23 Jan 2016, 1:04 AM

A video clip of Saudi Arabia's top cleric saying that the game of chess is "forbidden" in Islam because it wastes time and leads to rivalry and enmity among people has provoked heated debate, and widespread criticism, among Arabic Twitter users.
Also read: One-way trip to Mars prohibited in Islam
The clip was shared on YouTube in December, gaining traction in recent days on social media.
Twitter users reacted by saying chess is an intelligent game. while others defended his religious advice, saying that many other Islamic scholars have also warned that the game can be addictive and cause people to lose focus from their daily prayers and remembrance of God.
In the 44-second clip, Al Sheikh says "the game of chess is forbidden," backing up his statement by referring to a verse in the Quran that bans gambling, intoxicants and idolatry. Answering a question posed to him by a viewer on the Saudi religious Almajd network, the mufti says chess "wastes time and money and causes rivalry and enmity" because it makes rich people poor and poor people rich.
Also read - Shaving beard is un-Islamic: Indian seminary issues fatwa
Similarly, Iran's Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani also previously declared that chess is religiously prohibited because it could be used for gambling, which is not permissible in Islam.
Despite some top religious scholars frowning upon chess, the Saudi Shaikh's opinion is not seen as a formal edict that could lead to a ban on the game in the kingdom. Games such as backgammon and cards are popular among men in the Middle East.
Also read: Edict on Saudi women's face as taboo sparks resentment
Muslims, who introduced chess to Europe, have been playing the game since the 7th century.


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