Arbusers

Let's briefly research the topic of football betting and its presence throughout Arabic culture. Were you ever wondering if football betting is haram? Go through the paragraphs below to find out!

What does haram mean?

Before we unravel if football betting is haram, let's get familiar with the meaning of this Arabic word. Haram (also spelt haraam) is a religious term related to the Quran. It means impermissible, forbidden and illegal in Islamic law. Haram can refer to actions such as murder, fornication, cursing, or disrespecting parents. It can also concern policies, such as riba (usury, interest), and particular food and drinks, such as pork products (ham, sausage, bacon) and alcohol. Haram are all things that are directly or indirectly harmful in the short or long term. The opposite of "haram" is "halal", which describes all the permissible things in life.

Is football betting forbidden?

Islamic countries establish their laws based on their religion. Thus, it's best to find out if football betting is haram in the verses of the Holy Quran:

"O, believers! Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and drawing lots for decisions are all evil of Satan’s handiwork. So shun them so you may be successful. / Satan’s plan is to stir up hostility and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling and to prevent you from remembering Allah and praying. Will you not then abstain?" (Quran, Chapter 5, Suurah Maaidah, verses 90-91)

Long story short, in Islamic countries, any kind of gambling is prohibited. In the Sight of Allah, placing a bet on a sports team and being exposed to winning or losing something depending on the punter's prediction would constitute the abomination of maysir. The word maysir stands for gambling. It derives from al-yasar (easy), which means availability of wealth or game of chance, or refers to the acquisition of wealth by chance whether it deprives other people's rights and causes them harm or not, or refers to obtaining something easily without any hard work or receiving benefits without working.

Let’s not forget that there is a clear distinction between playing a sport and placing a bet or gambling on a sport. Muslims are encouraged to play sports like football, tennis, and cricket. Yet, the intention should be to improve one's health or be entertained. Naturally, to keep things halal, indulging in sports shouldn't affect the capacity to fulfil one’s obligatory duties in Islam, such as salaat, dressing Islamically etc.

When did football betting start?

Betting is probably as old as humankind. It was known already to primitive man. Ancient sources like Homer describe antique races and their bets. Betting was presumably going on throughout the entire sport's history. When it comes to the most recent years, before the 1960s, betting on football was illegal. It used to be done in the streets or in criminal safe houses. Back then, the only option for many people to gamble was through the local bookie, not without the probability of acts of violence in the middle of doing it! In the nineteen-sixties, betting had become an enormous underground industry. In response to this state of affairs, the Federal Government took steps to legalize it, starting with Nevada. Today, in the times of the internet, football betting has become as accessible as it has ever been. Online betting is an increasingly popular global obsession.

We are all a bunch of infidels.