Further Explanation On The Game of Chess - Benefits vs Harm

It is fairly obvious that there are many benefits that a person can obtain from playing chess. Below is further explanation summarised from the fuqaha:

The actual reason for the prohibition of chess is not because it has no benefit. The prohibition, in fact, stems from the Ahaadith.

To reiterate, Nabi Muhammad SAW said:

"Whoever plays backgammon or chess is as though has immersed his hands into the blood of pig." (Nasbur Raayah: Volume 4)

There are many actions, which, in spite of having benefit are prohibited because the harms outweigh its benefits. For example - even in the Qur'an, Allah mentions about wine:

"...the wrong in them is greater than the benefit." (Al-Baqarah 217).

Similar is the case of chess, even it has certain benefits, but the harm is greater than the benefit.

The game causes a person to spend hours and even days at a time on it, thus, distracting a person from his purpose of creation which is to worship his Creator.

According to the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence however, the game of chess is permissible on condition that it does not prevent a person from performing his / her Fardh (obligatory) duties - because it sharpens the mind.

The problem exists however in drawing the line of when a person loses conscious of his obligations. Fardh duty also includes praying in the mosque five times a day with congregation for all fardh solat except for certain allowable excuses. It is best to avoid when a person is unsure of what will become of his time, energy and thinking. Especially in this age of confusion and corruption.