Are Muslims allowed to play cards?

Question:

Are Muslims allowed to play cards?

Answer:

Wa Alaikum As Salaam,

Many of our scholars have mentioned that playing cards is a ‘waste of time’, and eventually makes one unmindful of his acts of Ibadah like Salaah etc. Hence, though it is not haram, it is nevertheless disliked.

And Allah knows best,
Mufti Waseem Khan
02/08/2012