Pre-Islamic Age of Ignorance: Gambling was considered more a matter of honor than a game. Those who did not gamble were criticized, and those who did not pay their debts were considered dishonorable. During the Jahiliyah period, the Arabs had a type of gambling called “Meysir.” They played it in a lottery style. In this type of gambling, there were ten arrows called “Ezlâmü Aklâm”. These arrows were called Fezz, Tev’em, Rakib, Hils Nafıs, Müsbil, Mualla, Menih, Sefih, and Veğd. All except Menih, Sefih, and Vağd had shares. A camel was slaughtered for the lottery draw, and this camel was divided into 28 shares; one share was allocated to Fezz, two to Tev’em, three to Rakib, four to Hils, five to Nafis, six to Müsbil, and seven to Mualla. The Menih, Sefih, and Vağd arrows were left empty and deprived. These ten arrows were placed in a bag called “Rebabe”; it was placed in front of a trustworthy person called “Yasir,” who would shake the bag, put his hand in, and draw an arrow for each participant. Those who drew a lucky arrow received a specific share, while those who drew a blank arrow were deprived but paid their money. ^Those who received a share would sometimes distribute the meat they received to the poor, taking pride in this as an act of charity. The arrows used in this game, each bearing a separate name, were kept by the temple guards in Mecca. This type of gambling, called Meysir, was widespread not only in Mecca but also in Medina. 

ISLAM: O believers, consume one another’s wealth not through unlawful means, but through trade based on mutual agreement, and do not kill yourselves. Surely, Allah is merciful to you. ^[676]

Nowadays: Today, there are also types of gambling consisting of lotteries or games of chance. There are also types adapted for collecting money for charity through raffles, such as bingo. Those who participate in this charity say that they are participating in a game that serves the poor and condemn those who do not participate, just as in the days of ignorance.  Instead, Islam has established a form of worship called “Zakat,” whereby a portion of one’s wealth is given in the hope of reward from Allah (swt). Those who speak of charity through an action forbidden by Allah are not doing so for Allah’s pleasure; they are engaging in an activity organized under the guise of charity for the purpose of seeking pleasure.

Some circles claim that “gambling debt is a debt of honor,” considering the responsibilities arising from such actions a matter of honor. Honor is not a relative concept. Only those who obey Allah and His Messenger are honorable. Others are far from it. Just as much as it is illogical to use expressions such as luck, fortune, or luck to override the use of reason, the total amount of debt remaining as a result of acts committed knowing that they are forbidden is just as honorable.

^[675]  Ali Osman Ateş, Islam in the Age of Happiness in All Its Aspects, Beyan Publications, vol. 2, p.72

^[676]  Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 29