Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Peace be upon you, Many people buy lottery tickets hoping to win millions in "prize money". They see gambling as a "harmless vice". God prohibits all forms of gambling, including the lottery (Quran 2:291, 5:90-91). God calls gambling an "abomination of the devil" and informs us that its sinfulness far outweighs any benefit. Research confirms this, showing that for every $1 raised in gambling revenues, it costs at least $3 in increased criminal-justice, social-welfare and other expenses. God's system is perfect, and He enjoins us to stay away from gambling for our own good. Intoxicants and Gambling Prohibited* [Quran 2:219] They ask you about intoxicants and gambling: say, "In them there is a gross sin, and some benefits for the people. But their sinfulness far outweighs their benefit." They also ask you what to give to charity: say, "The excess." GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you, that you may reflect, *2:219 The world now recognizes that the economic benefits from manufacturing alcoholic beverages and illicit drugs are not worth the traffic fatalities, brain damage to children of alcoholic mothers, family crises, and other disastrous consequences. Check with "Alcoholics Anonymous" and "Gamblers Anonymous" for more information. See also 5:90-91. Intoxicants and Gambling Prohibited [Quran 5:90-91] O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and the altars of idols, and the games of chance are abominations of the devil; you shall avoid them, that you may succeed. The devil wants to provoke animosity and hatred among you through intoxicants and gambling, and to distract you from remembering GOD, and from observing the Contact Prayers (Salat). Will you then refrain? References: Gambling, http://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/2011/sep/page1.html Quran prohibits Lottery and Gambling, http://www.masjidtucson.org/submission/faq/gambling_lottery_islam.html Peace.