I am speechless! Here is the web site for Ayatollah Sistani and some Q & A:
Question : Why is chess forbidden?
Answer : It is not permissible, because it is a means for Lahv (debauchery) and gambling. Moreover, when we do not know the reason behind the forbiddenness of an act, we are bound to obey in absolute obedience. There is a reason for it, but we do not know it and when we do not know it, it does not mean that we should not abide by it.
http://www.sistani.org/html/eng/main/index.php?page=4&lang=eng&part=4
Loved the question and even more the answer and specially the logic of it! I have some questions of my own:
On behalf of my scientists friends I’d like to ask: Is “Monte Carlo simulation” permitted? 
Is participating in “fear factor” allowed?
Please enlighten me on Bungee jumping, chewing sugar free gum, diet soda, sparkling water, electric tooth brush, use of cellphones while driving, joining myspace.com & blonds in convertibles….
While we are at it, I would love to have your take on this. Anoosheh (you know, Anoosheh Ansari first woman space tourist!) wrote in her blog the other day that since water resources are very limited in space station they recycle their own sweat! Meaning there is a pump that sucks in the moisture and recycles the water!! Not withstanding the enormous issues involved in traveling to space specially for a married Muslim woman without her husband bouncing around few male infidels in weightlessness!! I appreciate your insight on this.
Oh boy, don’t you feel blessed that such an illuminating source is available to us in 21st century. Honestly what would we have done otherwise? Where else to get the answer to these mind bending questions?!!
