Is Football Betting Haram?

Introduction

The question of whether football betting (whether specifically or in general) is haram under Islamic law has been a topic of discussion. In this article, we explore the Islamic perspective on football betting, discussing the applicable Quranic verses, hadith, and scholarly viewpoints.

Islamic Perspective on Football Betting

Islam and Gambling: Islam has a firm stance against gambling. The Quran explicitly states that gambling (or any similar activity) is forbidden because the harm it causes exceeds its benefits.

Quranic Verse on Gambling: Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 219 of the Holy Quran reads, "O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the works of satan. So avoid it that you may succeed."

Gambling and its Consequences

Betting, especially football betting, is considered gambling. This form of betting often involves significant financial risk and can lead to various negative outcomes such as:

Financial loss Mistrust among friends and family Hate and jealousy Problems with mental and emotional well-being

For Christians, the Bible warns about excessive love of money, encouraging prudence and righteousness (1 Timothy 6:10) and cautioning against quick gains (Proverbs 13:11).

Two Cases in Islamic Perspective

Case 1: Risk Taking - This case involves individuals placing bets on a random event where one party agrees to pay the other should that event occur. This type of betting is considered haram (forbidden) by all scholars.

Case 2: Beneficial Contests - In this case, contests or competitions are held where prizes are offered by the organizers. The money for the prizes does not come from individual participants but from another independent source. This is considered permissible.

Scholarly consensus is that betting where the prizes are based on the contributions of the participants is haram. This includes traditional forms of gambling as well as modern betting activities.

Conclusion

Given the various negative impacts and the clear religious prohibition, it is advisable to abstain from football betting. Instead, focus on enjoying the game without the financial risks. As Muslims, we are encouraged to avoid harm and seek lawful means of enjoyment (Assalamu alykum wa rahmatu Allahi wa barakatuh).