Pre-islamic Age of Ignorance: Gambling was considered a matter of honour rather than a game. Those who did not play were condemned and those who did not pay their debts were considered dishonourable. In addition to this, there was a type of gambling called “Meysir” by the Arabs in the Age of Ignorance. They used to do it in the form of a lottery. In this type of gambling, there were ten arrows called “Ezlâmü Aklâm”. These arrows were called Fezz, Taw’em, Rakib, Hils Nafis, Musbil, Mualla, Menih, Sefih and Waghd. Those other than Menih, Sefih and Waghd would have a share. A camel would be slaughtered for the lottery and this camel would be divided into 28 shares; one share would be allocated to fezze, two to taw’eme, three to rival, four to hilse, five to nefis, six to musbil, and seven to muallâ. Menih, Sefih and Vagd arrows were left empty and deprived. These ten arrows were thrown into a bag called “Rebabe” and placed in front of a trustworthy person called “Yasir”, who would shake the bag, put his hand in it and draw an arrow for each participant. Those who drew a lucky arrow would receive a certain share, those who drew an empty arrow would be deprived, but they would pay for it. Those who got a share would sometimes distribute the meat they bought to the poor, and they would be proud of this as a good deed. The arrows used in this gambling, each bearing a different name, were kept by the guards of the Temple in Mecca. This form of gambling, called Meysir, was common not only in Mecca but also in Medina.[675]

ISLAM: O believers, do not eat each other’s wealth through illegitimate means, but through mutually agreed trade, and do not kill yourselves. Verily, Allah is merciful to you..[676]

Today, there are also forms of gambling, such as lotteries or games of chance. There are also forms of gambling adapted to raising money for charity through raffles, such as bingo. Those who participate in this charity condemn those who do not, as in the Jahiliyyah, saying that they are participating in a game for the benefit of the poor. Instead, Islam has prescribed an act of worship called “Zakat” which is to be paid out of the earnings of one’s property in return to Allah (swt). Those who talk about charity to servants through an act forbidden by Allah (swt) are not doing it for the sake of Allah (swt); they are doing something that is organised for the purpose of getting pleasure under the name of charity.

In some circles, it is said that “Gambling debt is a debt of honour” and the responsibilities brought by such actions are considered as a matter of honour. Honour is not a relative concept. Only those who obey Allah and His Messenger are honourable. The others are exempt from this. As much as it is logical to disable the use of reason with the discourses of luck, fortune or good fortune, so much more honourable is the sum that remains as a debt as a result of the deeds committed knowing that they are haram.

[675] Ali Osman ateş,Islam in Asr-ı Saadet with all its aspects, Beyan publications c. 2, syf.72

[676] Bakara surah, 29. Ayet