Is it allowed to play card games if no gambling is involved?

بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم
الجواب بعون الملک الوھاب اللھم ھدایۃ الحق والصواب

It is undesirable and impermissible to play cards without betting as well, for they contain pictures. gets so engrossed in playing it that it affects’s duty towards Allah (Salah etc.). This play does not provide any benefit; worldly or spiritual.  It is rather a tool for time waste.  It is therefore recommended that plays such sports which may supplement’s physical or cognitive exercise or there lies a worldly or spiritual benefit in it.  A game which does not benefit in any way is merely a futile game, and playing futile games are wrong and undesirable; as it is evident from the following excerpts of Al-Durr al-Mukhtar:

Every futile game is undesirable due to the statement of the Holy Prophet – may Allah send peace and blessings upon him, “Every futile game of a Muslim is forbidden with the exception of three; 1) playing with’s spouse 2) training’s horse 3) archery with’s bow.”

Allamah Ibn ‘Aabideen al-Shaami writes the following in its marginal footnotes with reference to Al-Jawahir:

The permissibility of wrestling is established from the Hadeeth, but it is for the sake of equipping for battle, and not as a means of foul play, for it is undesirable.  It is therefore obvious that it will also be applicable to training’s horse and practicing archery.

[Al-Durr al-Mukhtar with Radd al-Muhtar Vol. 6, p. 395]

A’laHazrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan – may Allah’s mercy be upon him – writes:

If a game is played seeking futile pleasure, then it is undesirable.

[Fatawa Ridawiyyah Vol. 23, p. 277]

واللہ تعالی اعلم ورسولہ اعلم صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم
کتبہ ابو الحسن محمد قاسم ضیاء قادری

Answered by Mufti Qasim Zia al-Qadri
Translated by Musjidul Haq Research Department ( www.musjidulhaq.com )

Read the original Urdu answer here: [Q-ID0764] Is it allowed to play card games if no gambling is involved?

Also see:

[Q-ID0505] What is the Islamic ruling on playing card games?