Chess

[Asif]

Assalamu alikum wa rahmatullah !
I would like to know whether chess is halal or haraam in Islam?

Fee Aman Allah

[latiftasif]

assalamua'aikum brothers and sisters,
dear asif,
few months ago i was in your very same situation as i myself was selected to enter a school chess competition, well i asked several persons and read a few book and came with the conclution that chess is only haram in certain circumstances.For example if there is no betting ,some scholars consider it prohibited while Imam Shafi'i allows it providing that no prayer or duty is missed.

I also found this Adoths and stories involving chess in " the chief sins,Al Kaba'r " by muhammad bin uthman ad-dhahabi:

Ali bin Abi Taleb (RAA) said :" CHess is the gambling of the persians "He once passed by some people engaged in playng chess and said:" What are these statues which you are so devoted to ?If any of you touches a brand of fire until it is extinguished ,it would be far better than toucing it .Then he said to them "BY God you were not created for this .He (RAA) also said " A chess player is the most lying of people,for he says:"checkmate"
(in arabic,Mat,meaning,died)whereas no body died.
Abu MUsa al-Ach'ari (RAA) said "Only a wrongdoer plays chess".
Ishaq bin Rahwey was asked "do you see any harm in playing chess?"He replied " All harm is in it .Then he was argued :" but if people of border towns play with it for war reasons!" and he said " it is immoral"

the prophet (SAW) is also reported to have said:

" On THe Day OF JUdgment,the most severe punishment will be for the person who plays chess.Does not he say "i killed it" By God ,it is dead ,whreas he is liar and did not kill.

so brother I believe that playing chess is quiet wrong but as we always have to remember Almighty Allah Knows Best