Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Peace be upon you, Gambling has an mindboggling effect on people. Most people don't win at gambling but when they do, they invariably lose it by putting their winnings back to try and win more. The lure of feeling lucky and winning suddenly is so high that people are willing to give away years of hard earned money in a few moments. God condemns gambling as an abomination of the devil (Quran 5:90). He makes it clear that whatever benefit gambling has is far outweighed by its sinfulness (Quran 2:219). We are to avoid it. Humans' risk-taking behavior goes back in time, we ignorantly chose to take the responsibility of the freedom of choice rather than repent and take advantage of God's offer of guaranteed salvation (Quran 33:72). Now, we must make the right choices for our souls so that we don't lose everything in the Hereafter. May God help us avoid gambling away our souls in any manner. Intoxicants and Gambling Prohibited* [Quran 2:219] They ask you about intoxicants and gambling: say, "In them there is a gross sin, and some benefits for the people. But their sinfulness far outweighs their benefit." They also ask you what to give to charity: say, "The excess." GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you, that you may reflect, *2:219 The world now recognizes that the economic benefits from manufacturing alcoholic beverages and illicit drugs are not worth the traffic fatalities, brain damage to children of alcoholic mothers, family crises, and other disastrous consequences. Check with "Alcoholics Anonymous" and "Gamblers Anonymous" for more information. See also 5:90-91. Freedom of Choice [Quran 33:72] We have offered the responsibility (freedom of choice) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they refused to bear it, and were afraid of it. But the human being accepted it; he was transgressing, ignorant.* *33:72 The animals, trees, stars, etc. took advantage of this most gracious offer. See Appendix 7. References Lord, I was born a "gambling" man: Lessons about gambling learned by a Submitter, http://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/2016/sep/page1.html Gambling: You can’t lose if you don’t play!, http://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/2011/sep/page1.html Why Were We Created? http://www.masjidtucson.org/quran/appendices/appendix7.html Peace.