What is the impact of playing backgammon or chess on the validity of testimony?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Testimonies
Primary text
If the prohibition of chess is established, then playing it results in the rejection of testimony, similar to backgammon. This is the view of Malik and Abu Hanifa, as the act is equally forbidden. Backgammon is considered more severe than chess in rendering testimony invalid primarily because of the explicit textual prohibition concerning it and the consensus regarding backgammon's prohibition, unlike chess.
Supporting text
Abu Bakr held that if someone plays chess while believing it is forbidden, their testimony is rejected like one who plays backgammon. However, if the player believes it is permissible, their testimony is not rejected unless the game distracts them from prayer during its prescribed times, leads them to false oaths or other prohibitions, or if they play on public thoroughfares or act in a manner that diminishes their chivalry (Muru'ah). This is the position of Al-Shafi'i, as chess is a matter of scholarly difference (mukhtalaf fih).