Chess is Waste of Time and Money???

January 22, 2016 | 11:10 AM | 2 Views
Saudi Arabian Grand Mufti forbids chess niharonline

In a move that will leave chess nerds and people who enjoy having basic freedoms more frustrated than a doubled pawn, Saudia Arabia’s grand mufti has declared that chess is forbidden under Islam.

Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, the nation’s highest religious and legal authority, made the statement on a television show in response to a question, saying that the game was “included under gambling” and was “a waste of time and money and a cause for hatred and enmity between players.”

While not a formal decree, according to British grandmaster Nigel Short, the remarks could put Saudi chess players in danger. Whether it is entered into law a fatwa from the country’s highest moral authority could certainly have a chilling effect on players of the royal game.

Muslim scholars tend to place chess, a skill-based game, in a different category from games of chance, such as dice, but frown upon it if it distracts a person from performing the five daily prayers. Placing bets under any circumstances is forbidden.

Chess was banned for 10 years in Iran on religious grounds as well until the ban was lifted.

Latest News

Most Popular