Maisir Explained

In Islam, gambling (Arabic: ميسر|translit=maisîr, maysir, maisira or Arabic: قمار qimâr)[1] is forbidden (Arabic: حَرَام|translit=haraam). Maisir is totally prohibited by Islamic law on the grounds that "the agreement between participants is based on immoral inducement provided by entirely wishful hopes in the participants' minds that they will gain by mere chance, with no consideration for the possibility of loss".[1]

Definitions

Both qimar and maisir refer to games of chance, but qimar is a kind (or subset) of maisir. Author Muhammad Ayub defines maisir as "wishing something valuable with ease and without paying an equivalent compensation for it or without working for it, or without undertaking any liability against it by way of a game of chance",[2] Another source, Faleel Jamaldeen, defines it as "the acquisition of wealth by chance (not by effort)".[3] Ayub defines qimar as "also mean[ing] receipt of money, benefit or usufruct at the cost of others, having entitlement to that money or benefit by resorting to chance";[2] Jamaldeen as "any game of chance".[3]

In scripture

It is stated in the Qur'an that games of chance which include money, including maisir, are a "grave sin" and "abominations of Satan's handiwork". It is also mentioned in the ahadith.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Islamic Finance. Q&A. What is the Difference Between Qimar and Maisir?. investment-and-finance. 27 June 2023. Sep 21, 2021.
  2. Book: Ayub. Muhammad. Understanding Islamic Finance. 2007. Wiley. 9780470687710. 24 January 2015.
  3. Book: Jamaldeen, Faleel . Islamic Finance For Dummies . 2012 . John Wiley & Sons . 9781118233900. en. FJIFD2012. 17 . 15 March 2017.