Comprehensive Definition
Shat̤ranj (شطرنج): The Arabic term for chess, a board game that has been widely played and discussed within the context of Islamic tradition.
Etymology and Background
The word “Shat̤ranj” comes from the Middle Persian “Chatrang,” which by itself is derived from the Sanskrit “Chaturanga,” meaning “four-limbed.” This references the ancient Indian game symbolizing four military units: infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots.
Cultural Context
According to Hidāyah—an authoritative text in Hanafi jurisprudence—playing chess, dice, or any game is considered objectionable. This stance stems from two main concerns:
- Gambling (Maisir): The risk of gambling associated with chess is explicitly forbidden in the Qurʾān.
- Vanity and Uselessness: Activities engaged without meaningful intent are seen as vain.
The Prophet Muhammad is quoted stating that all forms of entertainment for a Muslim are vain except for three: the breaking in of a horse, the drawing of a bow, and relationships with one’s spouses for mutual amusement and affection.
However, jurists like Ash-Shafi’i have considered chess beneficial for sharpening one’s intellect, rendering it permissible under certain conditions.
Differences and Similarities
Cultural Perspectives
- Eastern Islam: Greater scrutiny towards any game foreseeably indulging the concept of luck (which includes chess, among others).
- Western Islam: Some communities permit chess for its intellectual merits and sociocultural alignment during the Islamic golden age.
Synonyms:
- Chess in English terminology.
- Chaturanga in ancient Indian context.
Antonyms:
- Idle activities devoid of intellectual merit.
Related Terms with Definitions:
- Maisir (ميسر): Gambling, an act forbidden in Islam due to its speculative nature and potential ethical harms.
- Hidāyah (الهداية): A classic legal commentary on Hanafi jurisprudence discussing various aspects of law including permissible and non-permissible activities.
Exciting Facts
- Chess was introduced into the Islamic world around the 7th century and quickly took hold, with many caliphs and scholars endorsing it.
- The game has remained popular across Muslim-majority countries, evolving with distinct cultural flavors in places like Persia and the Arabian Peninsula.
Quotations from Notable Writers
- “Chess, like love, like music, has the power to make men happy.” - Muhammad al-Idrisi.
- “The only way to prove that you’re a good sport is to lose.” - The Prophet Muhammad (interpretive observation on character, not an actual hadith).
References for Further Studies
- Hidāyah, by Burhan al-Din al-Farghani al-Marghinani: A key Hanafi text, translated and commented extensively.
- The Book of Chess: By Murray, which covers the history and cultural diffusion of chess.
- Ethics in Islam: Dive into ethical perspectives and debates in Islamic jurisprudence.
Suggested Literature
- “Chess and the Islamic Mindset” by Idris al-Haq (2020)
- “Secular Amusements in Islamic Jurisprudence” by Leila Ahmadinejad (2018)
- “Intellectual Pursuits in Islamic Societies” by Omar Farooq Al-Khalid (2015)
