Games Containing Elements Contrary to Islamic Belief

Question: Is it permissible to play games that contain elements contrary to Islamic beliefs?

Answer: 

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

As a Believer in Allah Most High and the Hereafter, one should aim to limit all things that don’t bring an actual or effective benefit to their life in this world or the next.

Playing Games

It is impermissible to play any game that contains strictly prohibited (haram) activities or elements of disbelief [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar].

Allah Most High says, “He has already revealed to you in the Book that when you hear Allah’s revelations being denied or ridiculed, then do not sit in that company unless they engage in a different topic, or else you will be like them. Surely Allah will gather the hypocrites and disbelievers all together in Hell [Qur’an; 04:140].

This verse is a clear prohibition in associating, even if indirectly, in disbelief of Allah and His religion.

Other Types of Games

Games that do not contain elements of disbelief or strictly prohibited (haram) activities such as killing, nudity, etc… are not considered strictly prohibited (haram). However, they are still interdicted and fall under a less category of prohibition, namely prohibitively disliked.

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Every pastime the child of Adam engages in is vain except for three (things): shooting his bow and arrow, training his horse, and playing with his family. These (three) are from the truth” [Ahmad].

I.e. those activities that entail a clear benefit to one’s worldly or next-worldly life are of the truth.

Allah Most High says, “That is Allah—your True Lord. So what is beyond the truth except for falsehood? How can you then be turned away?” [Qur’an; 10:32].

Intentions

One cannot expect, especially in these times, that every Muslim avoid all vain activities; for this reason, we would like to focus the discourse on some important principles the Believer should hold onto. These are:

(1) Avoid the clearly Haram
(2) Never let any activity distract you from your obligation to Allah, such as the prayer.
(3) When engaging in these pastimes, make high intentions of good. For example, intend to relax so you can regain energy and drive to worship Allah Most High more.
(4) Keep to moderation

Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a graduate from Tarim; a student of Habib Umar and other luminaries; and authorized teachers of the Qur’an and the Islamic sciences