Chess and Gambling Instruments: Can Card Games or Puzzles Be Used for Learning Without Being Ḥarām?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Chess and Gambling Instruments: Can Card Games or Puzzles Be Used for Learning Without Being Ḥarām?

English:

Question #1115:

Is it permissible to use cards, without betting, in mind-stimulating games, which could have scientific as well as religious connotations? And what is the ruling on a jigsaw puzzle, where betting may be used?

Answer #1115:

A deck of cards is considered among the instruments of gambling and it is impermissible to play with it even without placing a bet. As for cards that are not considered as gambling instruments by common view, there is no problem in playing with them without betting.

Generally speaking, it is not permissible at all to play with what the mukallaf sees as instruments of gambling. The same ruling applies to playing with other things if betting is involved. However, there is no problem in playing with instruments, which are not considered as gambling ones when there is no betting.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Chess and Gambling Instruments