Is Playing Chess Questionable in Islam?

Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt

Question:

Is it permissible to play chess in Islam?

Answer:

Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for your question.

Playing chess is permissible but prohibitively disliked. It is forbidden to play chess if it entails any of the following:

• Gambling is involved
• Common responsibilities or Islamic obligations such as ritual prayer are violated
• Playing is so excessive that it becomes an addiction

The many narrations that prohibit the play of chess are generally due to the playing which entails the above mentioned. (See: Mukhtaṣar al Qudūrī & Tuḥfat al Fatāwa)

And Allāh Knows Best