Fatwa ID: 06518

 

Answered by: Maulana Mohammed Dilwar Hussain

 

Question:

 

Is making money from games haram in any way?

 

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

 

Answer:

 

The fact that you are concerned about where your earnings are accrued from is praiseworthy. It makes evident your consciousness of Allāh Ta’ālā and your desire to obey Him. The Prophet ﷺ said, “that earning a halal income is an obligation beyond other obligations.” [Shu’bul Iman lil Bayhaqi: Hadith 8367] [1]

 

Allāh Ta’ālā also commands {do not aid in sin.} [Surāh Mā’idah, 5:2] [2]

 

Furthermore, the Prophet ﷺ has said “A time will come when one will not care how one gains one’s money, legally or illegally.” [Sahih Bukhari: Hadith 2059] [3]

 

{Whosoever fears Allāh (by abstaining from sins and fulfilling his obligations) Allāh will open up ways for him out of every difficulty. Allāh will provide sustenance for him from such avenues which he least perceives. Whoever places his trust in Allāh, Allāh will suffice him. Indeed, Allāh will accomplish His purpose. Allāh has already set a measure for all things.} [Surah at-Talaq; 65:2-3] [4]

 

The Prophet ﷺ said that “Do not delay (in earning) sustenance, for the servant will not die until his last provisions reach him. (So) take what is Halāl and leave what is Harām.” [Sahih Ibn Hibbān: Hadith 3239] [5]

 

These are reminders for us that our earnings have already been fixed by Allāh Ta’ālā. Now, whether we choose to receive these earnings through Halal means or Haraam is up to us. One way or another, whatever has been destined for us will reach us.

 

Nonetheless, it is upon us to go out and actively seek a Halal means of earning and then we place our trust in Allāh Ta’ālā to grant it to us. This has always been the method of Allāh Ta’ālā, that is, we first have to make an effort and then Allāh’s aid will reach us.

 

Allāh Ta’ālā has informed us, {And from among the people, there is he who buys the distracting amusement of things, so that he, being devoid of knowledge, may mislead (people) from the Way of Allah and make a mockery of it. Such people are the ones for whom there is a disgraceful punishment.} [Surah Luqman, 31;6] [6]

 

Any activity which takes us away from the path of Allah Ta’ālā or distracts us from His worship would be considered impermissible. Thus, the purchase and further sale of such games would be deemed impermissible. However, any game which does not fall under this category would be permissible to sell.

 

 

Only Allāh Ta’ālā knows best.

Written by Maulana Mohammed Dilwar Hussain

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

 

 

 

 

[1]طَلَبُ كَسْبِ الْحَلَالِ فَرِيضَةٌ بَعْدَ الْفَرِيضَةِ

 

[2]وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡعُدۡوَ ا⁠نِۚ{

 

[3]يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ، لاَ يُبَالِي الْمَرْءُ مَا أَخَذَ مِنْهُ أَمِنَ الْحَلاَلِ أَمْ مِنَ الْحَرَامِ

 

[4]وَمَن یَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ یَجۡعَل لَّهُۥ مَخۡرَجࣰا. وَیَرۡزُقۡهُ مِنۡ حَیۡثُ لَا یَحۡتَسِبُۚ وَمَن یَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسۡبُهُۥۤۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَـٰلِغُ أَمۡرِهِۦۚ قَدۡ جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَیۡءࣲ قَدۡرࣰا{

 

[5]لا تستبطِئوا الرِّزقَ فإنَّه لن يموتَ العبدُ حتَّى يبلُغَه آخِرُ رزقٍ هو له فأجمِلوا في الطَّلبِ: أَخْذِ الحلالِ وتَرْكِ الحرامِ

 

[6]وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَشۡتَرِي لَهۡوَ ٱلۡحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡم وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًاۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمۡ عَذَاب مُّهِين {