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Chess is a very popular game, and the opinion of jurists concerning it varies. Some consider it halaal, others makruh and still others haraam. Those who consider it haraam cite some A'Hadeeth in support of their position, but researchers have proved that chess did not appear until after the death of the Prophet PBUH, thus all such A'Hadeeth must be fabricated.
The Sahaaba themselves held differing views about playing chess. Ibn Umar said that it is worse than backgammon and Ali regarded it as gambling ( perhaps meaning when it is played for money), while some others merely expressed disapproval of it.
However, some Sahaaba and some of the second generation scholars allowed it. Among these were Ibn Abbas, Abu Hurairah, Ibn Sirin, Hisham bin Umrah and Sa'id bin al-Musayyib.
I agree with these jurists, since the original principle is the permissibility of acts and no text is to be found prohibiting it. Moreover, in addition to being a game and a recreation, chess is also a mental exercise which requires thought and planning. In this respect it is the opposite of backgammon, for while backgammon is a game of chance and therefore comparible to divining with arrows. Chess is a game of skill and strategy which may be compared to archery.
However, I believe playing chess is permissable only if the following three conditions are met:
1 one should not get so absorbed in it that he delays his salaat, as chess is well known to be a stealer of time.
2 there should be no gambling involved.
3 the players should not utter obscenities or vulgarities.
If any of these conditions are not met, then it should be considered Haraam.
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