Is it permissible to play cards without money, that is not gambling?

Answer

Playing with cards even without money is haraam. It is like dipping the hands in the blood of a swine according to the Hadith of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "He who plays chess is like one who dips his fingers in the blood of a pig." All such games are haraam. The prohibition of cards has greater emphasis. It is the game of evil kuffaar.