Islam forbids gambling.

My brothers in Islam,

Let us increase our taqwa to Allah s.w.t by doing all that He commands us, and avoiding everything that He has forbidden.

As an Ummah which abides to Allah and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad s.a.w, we must uphold the principles laid down by the Syariah. May this faith give us, Muslims in Malaysia, the strength to move to a higher level, inspite of the new challenges that we shall face.

Recently we have been informed by the newspaper that the government is seriously considering legalizing sports betting before the World Cup as said by our Deputy Finance Minister. The main reason to legalise the betting is that  if the Government did not give the licence, there will be many who will gamble regardless legal or not. And it is better if the Government regulate the betting in a manner in which it can be controlled.

Remember my brothers, one activity that will bring destruction to religion, mind, wealth and offsprings, is gambling. It is an activity that will put to test the best of our faith and moral values. An activity that is very addictive.

And because of the destructive nature of gambling, Allah s.w.t mentions it in Al-Quran, reminding us to not even get near it. What more to participate in it. Allah says in surah Al-Maidah, ayat 90:

Which means: O you who believe! Alcoholic drinks, gambling, Al­Ansâb , and Al­Azlâm (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork. So avoid that (abomination) in order that you may be successful.

This verse clearly tells us not to get involved in any gambling activities even if we do not gamble or drink.

This verse also serves to remind us that gambling and drinking are from Satan’s handiwork. It does not mean that Satan gambles and drinks. No! But Satan promotes both activities in human beings. Why?

It is because Satan wants everything bad and evil for humans. Satan wants us to suffer, both in this life and the hereafter. It boils up from a very deep-set hatred to our father Prophet Adam a.s and his offsprings. Satan despises us. It is to his greatest satisfaction to see our lives in jeopardy. So that that we suffer in this world, and suffer together with him in Hell. He wants us to accompany him in Hell.

That is why he uses every means and ways to seduce us to do things forbidden by Allah. Satan is our greatest enemy. And Allah reminds us of this fact in many verses in Al-Quran. In surah Al-Fahtir, ayat 6, Allah says:

Which means: Surely, Satan is an enemy to you, so take him as an enemy. He only invites his followers that they may become the dwellers of the blazing Fire.

So let us not be deceived by Satan. Let us not become his followers. Gambling and drinking are among Satan’s tools to bring destructions to humans. Allah s.w.t reminds us in surah Al-Maidah, ayat 91:

Which means: Satan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allâh and from As-Salât (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain?

This verse tells us that drinking and gambling are the causes of human destruction. And our nature to be greedy and cruel pour fuel to the fire. Especially so in gambling.

When someone gambles, he does it with the intention of winning. And hopefully win big. No one wants to lose. But when he wins, he is actually being cruel to others. The money that he won comes from other people. He profited from other’s misery. There are much injustice and cruelty.

And if he loses, he will resent it, and hate those who win at his expense. But he will continue to gamble, in a feeble attempt to recover the money that he lost. Gambling will be the new focus of his life. Gone are his loved ones. Just look at how many families fell apart due to gambling?

My brothers in Islam,

Allah forbids all kinds of gambling. And these include buying lottery tickets, and betting in whatever manner and in whichever game, even in sporting events. Because betting is still betting. Regardless whether in horse racing or in friendly soccer games. So is gambling through the Internet or at casinos. All of that are HARAM.

Usually a gambler will lose more than he wins. He lost more money than he wins in gambling. And this will lead to addiction. He will be addicted to gambling. In the slimmest hope that he will win next time to recover his losses.

Islam puts high premium in social harmony and individual’s peace of mind. But gambling will cause much anguish and will slowly but surely tear the social fabric apart. The destruction is like a ripple in the pond. The misery starts with the gambler, and it will spread to his family members, and then to more and more people. In the end, the whole society will bear the burden of the misery.

Even though there are certain benefits to be reaped from gambling and casino, but the harm is more than the benefits.

Our society is facing many social and economical problems. We cannot afford to have one more problem. We need to stop this new gambling threat. And we pray to Allah that He will save us, our society, our country, from destruction, amen.