Tirimzi, Abu Dawood and Ibn Majah narrate from U'qbah bin Aamir (May Allah
be pleased with them all) that the Prophet of Allah (Allah's Grace and Peace
be with him) said, All things a man does for amusement (lah'u, pasttime/fun)
are fake (battil) except shooting arrows from a bow, tamming a horse and
companionship with one's wife as these are all true [pleasures] (ha'q).
Imam Wal'mmi narrates from Abdullah ibn Abbass (may Allah be pleased with
them both) that people of king are from the hell who say I beat your king.
It refers to chess players who give checks [and checkmate] on the king and
take the king out / bring it down.
Bahiqqi reports from Seyduna A'li (may Allah be pleased with him) that he
narrates that Chess is the gambling of the non-arabs (ajam). And Ibn Shahab
narrates from Abu Musa Ashari (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said
a person will not play chess except he who is guilty [of sin]; and from
him
in another narration: it [chess] is false (ba'til) and Allah does not keep
false (ba'til) a friend.
home: www.livingislam.org/