Top Saudi cleric says chess is 'forbidden' in Islam

A video clip of Saudi Arabia's top cleric saying that the game of chess is "forbidden" in Islam because it wastes time and leads to rivalry and enmity among people has provoked heated debate, and widespread criticism, among Arabic Twitter users. The clip was shared on YouTube in December, gaining traction in recent days on social media. Twitter users reacted by saying chess is an intelligent game. while others defended his religious advice, saying that many other Islamic scholars have also warned that the game can be addictive and cause people to lose focus from their daily prayers and remembrance of God. In the 44-second clip, Al Sheikh says "the game of chess is forbidden," backing up his statement by referring to a verse in the Quran that bans gambling, intoxicants and idolatry. Answering a question posed to him by a viewer on the Saudi religious Almajd network, the mufti says chess "wastes time and money and causes rivalry and enmity" because it makes rich people poor and poor people rich.   Khaleej TImes