السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
It’s Wednesday 19th January 2022 / 17 Jumādā al-Thānī 1443H.
Let’s talk about ‘The Lottery and Friday EuroMillions’ today.
You may recall that Blackburn became very famous when the National Lottery was launched. The winner of the first 18 million pounds on the lottery was unfortunately from Blackburn.
When my last message went viral last Sunday, one of my readers, who works in retail, messaged me asking me which world I live in? Apparently, the things which shocked me were regular occurrences, which she had witnessed on so many occasions. She then mentioned a few things, which really were unbelievable.
She mentioned that in her view, more Muslims were playing the national lottery compared to non-Muslims. Her next point was just disgusting.
On Fridays, immediately after Jumu’ah Ṣalāh, men would rush to the shops, to play the Friday Euromillions, أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللَّٰهَ. I didn’t even know such a lottery existed. Now this is what you call pure hypocrisy.
Playing the lottery is bad enough. However, rushing after Jumu’ah Ṣalāh to play the Friday Euromillions is just so degrading. Is that what we learn from the Jumu’ah Khutbah? Is that what the Imām encouraged? Are you just there ‘hearing’ parrot-fashion, without actually listening? Nothing at all going into your ears and your heart?
My tone may seem harsh but this really takes the proverbial …, and makes a mockery of our Beautiful Religion. What must the non-Muslim shopkeepers be thinking about our faith? Is it any wonder that they look upon us as hypocrites? Those who say one thing and do something else!
Remember, a gambler never ever wins. That is guaranteed. My message today to all who are playing the lottery and involved in gambling, STOP right now and stop for good. Remember, once you get addicted to it, you will lose everything, including your family.
If you need help, ask for it. Speak to your GP, approach Gamblers Anonymous, or call GamCare in confidence. There is a lot of help available out there. Please don’t suffer in silence.
Finally, do bear in mind that you do not need to go into a bookies or casino to gamble anymore. Each and every one of us has a gambling device in their hand. Keep a very good eye on your children’s mobile phones.
In fact, each and every family member should regularly check each other’s phones. If any family member suddenly has a lot of money, shows off expensive items, or is borrowing a lot of money, then that should ring alarm bells.
May The Almighty protect each and every one of us from all the sins and evils that are prevalent in our society today and guide us all on to the right path, Āmeen.
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
Request for Du’ās
وَالسَّلَامُ Hanif Dudhwala
Supplementary Resources
Scratchcards , Lottery and Gambling– Shaykh Abdul Majeed
Addiction and its cures in Islam – Shaykh Hasan Ali