Islam's Response to Contemporary Issues — Page 157
Socio-economic Peace 157 traders should most often suffer losses. While in gambling, as a rule, a large majority of participants suffer losses most of the time. For instance, few casinos go bust. For the gain of a few, hundreds of thousands of people must suffer. The only value they get in exchange for the money they lose is the excitement and thrill of suspense until the realisation that they have lost their stake at last dawns upon them. After that they begin to wager again with a slim chance of recouping their losses until the tension and stresses grow far beyond the pleasure of excitement they receive in the bargain; the anguish and the heartache no longer remain a private matter for an individual but begin to tell on family relationships. In the poorer sections of society, the daily needs of family members have to be sacrificed at the altar of gambling. The Holy Quran, while prohibiting drinking and gambling, acknowledges that there is, of course, some partial benefit to be derived from them but most certainly their harm always outweighs their advantage: They ask thee concerning liquor and gambling. Tell them: There is great harm in both and also some benefit for people, but their harm is greater than their benefit. And they also ask thee what shall they spend. Tell them: Whatever is spare. Thus does Allah make His commandments clear to you that you may reflect. 23 It may be argued that to acquire pleasure from the money which one earns is nobody else’s concern: let everyone enjoy himself as he pleases.