🔍 Exploring AL-MAISIR (الميسر): The Islamic Perspective on Gambling
Comprehensive Definition
Al-Maisir (الميسر) refers to gambling or any game of chance as defined within Islamic law. It encompasses all activities where money or goods are staked with the possibility of quantitative loss or gain, a practice explicitly forbidden by the Qurʾān.
Etymology
The term “Al-Maisir” (الميسر) derives from the Arabic root “Y-S-R” (يسر), which implies ease or facilitation. In pre-Islamic Arabia, it initially referred to a money-pot split easily among winners through games of chance, typically using arrows.
Background
Before the advent of Islam, gambling was widespread among pagan Arabs, often associated with idolatry and leading to significant social issues such as poverty and homelessness. The Qur’anic injunctions against Al-Maisir aimed to dissuade believers from engaging in activities that fostered greed, enmity, and social disruption.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
Islamic Viewpoint:
- Forbidden (Haram) for its ethical, moral, and societal destructiveness.
- Linked with intoxicants in the Qur’an, indicating a similar level of prohibition.
- Enforcement varies across different Islamic societies, with some countries imposing strict regulations while others, like Malaysia, allowing limited forms of state-managed gambling.
Western Perspective:
- Largely regulated and legalized in many countries with extensive markets (e.g., Las Vegas).
- Often viewed as entertainment, with an emphasis on responsible gambling.
Synonyms
- Qimar (قمار): Another Arabic term specifically denoting gambling.
- Betting
- Wagering
Antonyms
- Halal (حلال): Permissible or lawful activities.
- Charity (صدقة)
Related Terms and Definitions
- Riba (ربا): Usury or unjust, exploitative gains made in trade or business.
- Haram (حرام): Anything that is explicitly forbidden by Islamic law.
- Halal (حلال): That which is permissible or lawful.
Exciting Facts
- Historic Islamic texts reveal that originally, Al-Maisir was not outrightly forbidden but became prohibited as part of Islam’s gradual societal reforms.
- The ban on Al-Maisir was solidified with Revelations in the Medinan period of Prophet Muhammad’s life.
Quotations from Notable Writers
“O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling [al-maisir], [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.”
— Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:90), Qur’an
References
- The Holy Qur’an, with translation and commentary by Yusuf Ali.
- Al-Farghani, Ishaq. “Gambling: An Analysis from Islamic Perspective.” Journal of Islamic Studies, 2002.
- Esposito, John L. “Islam: The Straight Path.” Oxford University Press, 2015.
Suggested Literature and Sources for Further Study
- “Fortune and Faith in Old Cairo: A Nocturnal Exploration of Belief and Belief-Making,” by Sameh Zakout.
- “Islamic Financial Economy and Islamic Banking,” by Asad Zaman.
- “Shari’ah Minds in Islamic Finance: A Brief Overview,” by Daud Vicary Abdullah.
Thank you for diving into the profound aspects of Al-Maisir (الميسر) with me. It’s inspiring to explore how Islamic theology guides the moral and ethical compasses of communities, fostering environments grounded in equity and righteousness. May our understanding pave the way for a world where justice prevails.
Kind Regards,
Ibrahim Al-Hakim
October 18, 2023
