Gambling is not only a grave sin and offendable act in Islamic jurisprudence but is considered opprobrious and forbidden in every civilized nation because it is based upon treachery and deception. It has rotten nations and societies because it creates dacoits, robbers and thieves; and ultimately tears the delicate social fabric to rubble. One can understand the humiliation attributed to the menace that dishonest people are often reprimanded and ridiculed as gamblers. Though the act is highly loath full and abominated in our society but a big chunk of our populace is badly caught up in the clutches of the menace. Hundreds of prosperous families have perished to the evil. Many matrimonial relationships have been spoiled; many well-off people have become paupers. The poison of the menace of gambling has added immensely to the social disintegration of nations. If liquor is the mother of all evils, then, gambling is undoubtedly the father of all evils. The holy Quran has admonished believers to keep away from it. “They ask you about wine and gambling, say: ' In them both lies grave sins, though some benefit, to mankind. But there sin is more grave than their benefit.' (Al-Quran 2:219).

Gamblers are often held in low esteem because they commit dual sins viz the disobedience of religious commandments and the murder of cherished human values. It is said that mother earth curses gamblers and other evildoers for the commission of offenses on its surface. Gambling is considered more heinous than genocide of humanity in our society but still the menace has assumed dangerous proportions in our society. Here, I am reminded of an old saying which states that it is better to sink a girl in a river than to marry her off to a gambler. People often restrict their social, economic and other ties with gamblers. Mistrust, dishonor and disgrace becomes their fate. Though their other family members are often innocent but they too are stigmatized for none of their personal faults. 

For common masses, playing cards with high bets is probably the only way to gamble. But, the fact of the matter is that gambling is now neither confined to playing cards nor to casinos. Different digital and online platforms have brought the menace to our homes. Now, let my pious mothers of the land know that gamblers are sitting next to them while they make the recitation of the holy Quran. The gambling is not now confined to a few ignoramus culprits but our literate degree holders have become virtual gamblers. I must say that we have gamblers in every home. Holding cards in hands is never a symbol of gambling unless and until you invest for bets, no matter the amount is meager or huge. Now, people take part in different online casinos very proudly. Many call it luck, and many attribute it to their intellect and knowledge of games and sports. 

Digital platforms like Dream 11, Howzatt, My 11 circle, Teenpati and many other online apps have made us real gamblers. Almost every teenager, young man and some elderly people including a big proportion of girls have become addicted to these online casinos. Every day, young people waste the hard earned money of their parents. Even many owe big debts to their friends and relatives. A social media meme about the devilish habit reads, “I was very poor, then, I heard about different online apps like Dream 11, Teenpati etc... Now, after two years, I have come on the road to beg because all my savings have exhausted." Gambling drains everyone involved in it and benefits none. 

Youth of our nation have fallen prey to the online gambling to such an extent that their studies and health are badly affected. With smart phones in their hands, our youth have become lame and crippled. They hardly show any interest in games and sports. Dreams of becoming a billionaire or millionaire haunts them day in and day out. Hard work, skill and knowledge are not their priorities. They look for shortcuts to earn a good place in the society. They have become docile and parasitic fellows who never convert dreams into realities by the dint of their hard work and determination. Such societies are sure to wear the yoke of slavery whose youth are slothful and lazy. The youth which is supposed to work in research laboratories and libraries, are wasting their golden time in sinful and sorrowful activities on internet. Checking their mobile screens frequently, in order to know if they have won ten million rupees or not. The indolent and inert approach of our youth is a big cause of concern for our intelligentsia and intellectual class. 

The biggest irony is that most of the parents are either unaware about the grave issue or don't bother to keep a close vigil on the activities of their children. Many parents even don't consider it a sin or an evil. They even encourage their children to get addicted to it, with the hope that they will become rich in a jiffy. Let me apprise such parents that they are pushing their children to the hell of gambling. If their teenage children are addicted to online gambling, then they will surely bring ruins to their name, wealth and property. Today; their complacency, carelessness and laxity will make their children to pay heavily for the indifference and insensitivity. Let us all pledge to help our children to invest their precious time and energies in their studies. Let them grow under the noble patronage of humanity where values are considered more important than wealth. 

We often complain about the refusal of our supplications and prayers in the super-royal court of Allah (SWT), but, we hardly pay any attention to our deeds. We hardly bother to care about the ways of our earnings. Allah (SWT) is immaculately pure and loves purity. His angels never visit a family where illegitimate and forbidden earnings are kept. Now, we can imagine the reason behind refusal and denial of our supplications at the empyrean of Allah (SWT). We have invited the rage and wrath for ourselves. Abandoning the beautiful practices and procedures of our beloved prophet Muhammad (SAW), has pushed us into the clench of despots and cruel kings. 

Now, is there any remedy to extinguish the wildfire of digital gambling and other evils prevalent in our society? Yes, undoubtedly, there are different ways to nip the evil in the bud. But, we must display courage and dedication.  We need to sensitize our children and youth, about the ill effects of the vice of gambling. Let the pulpits of our mosques be used to aware our progeny about the immoral and unethical practices which annoy our Lord, spoil our worldly life and destroy our Aakhirah.  Imams must deliver sermons about it. Hadith and Quranic references about the satanic act must be spread through different platforms, including digital ones. Parents and elders of families should talk to their children about the hazards of the growing menace. They should be taught about its religious admonition of the practice. Together we can change the fate of our nation. Let's eradicate the evil to illuminate the tomorrow of our society.

(The Writer is a Teacher and Rising Kashmir Columnist. He can be reached at mushtaqhurra143@gmail.com)