What is the ruling on playing backgammon (Nard)?

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Playing backgammon is forbidden. This is the view held by Abu Hanifa and the majority of Shafi'i scholars. The evidence for this prohibition is the Hadith narrated by Abu Musa, wherein the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) stated, "Whoever plays backgammon has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger." Furthermore, Buraydah narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said, "Whoever plays backgammon is as if he has dipped his hand in the flesh and blood of a pig." Both narrations are recorded by Abu Dawud. Due to this established prohibition, repeated engagement in playing backgammon leads to the rejection of one's testimony, whether played with stakes or not. This is the position of Abu Hanifa, Malik, and the apparent view of the Shafi'i school.