Answer
Short Answer: Our bodies are gifts from Allah. Muslims should put aside time daily or weekly to maintain physical health. In terms of unlawful sports, boxing is not lawful because a Muslim should not hit people in the face. Islam encourages exercise and sports, but Muslims must be careful that their exercise does not lead them to what is impermissible.
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Salam (Peace) Kat,
Thank you for contacting About Islam with your question.
What Is The Islamic View of Sports and Exercise?
Allah (God Almighty) expects Muslims to take care of their bodies to the best of their abilities.
Obesity, weakness, and physical laziness are usually blameworthy afflictions unless they are the result of an affliction outside of one’s control.
Though death very well may overtake us today or tomorrow, we should physically prepare ourselves to worship Allah in our old age, should He give us long lives.
While bad health and disease are often beyond our control, we must take the precautions available to us to maintain our physical health.
Our Bodies Are Gifts From Allah
Our bodies are gifts from Allah, and we will be held accountable for how we use them.
Furthermore, a Muslim should be able to defend him or herself from aggression (which requires physical strength).
For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has said:
The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both. (Reported by Muslim)
There are numerous traditions in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) recommended certain martial arts to maintain the health and prepare the believers for situations of external aggression.
Thus, he has said (peace and blessings be upon him):
Any action without the remembrance of Allah is either a diversion or heedlessness excepting four acts: Walking from target to target [during archery practice], training a horse, playing with one’s family, and learning to swim. (Reported by Tabarani)
It should be kept in mind that the Prophet and the Companions were naturally physically fit.
Life was tougher back then – long distances were covered on foot, people hunted and farmed their food to survive, and there did not exist recreations like television, promoting laziness and wasting time.
It was almost assumed back then that believers would be physically fit. It was not until later generations that the scholars encountered obesity and laziness.
Sports Today
In answer to your questions, a modern Muslim should put aside some time daily or weekly to maintain his or her physical health. The average gym these days entails mixed sexes in revealing clothing and loud music and thus should be avoided.
If running outside is not a practical option, consider buying a treadmill for the house and maybe a few weights.
Organized sports like basketball and football are a good option for some, but one must be careful not to overindulge in these and waste too much time.
Sports & Muslim Ethics
As always, Muslim men and women are required to dress appropriately while exercising. They must make sure to cover their awra (nakedness) and to not wear revealing and tight clothing like spandex.
In terms of unlawful sports, boxing is not lawful because a Muslim should not hit people in the face for sport.
We read in a hadith (prophetic tradition) narrated by Abu Huraira that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
If somebody fights (or hits somebody) then he should avoid the face. (Reported by Al-Bukhari)
In general, exercise and sports are encouraged. However, Muslims must be careful that their exercise does not lead them to what is impermissible.
Husbands and wives can exercise and play together. This is a good way of building love and happiness together.
The Prophet’s wife Aisha said:
I raced with the Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) and beat him in the race. Later, when I had put on some weight, we raced again and he won. Then he said, ‘This cancels that,’ referring to the previous occasion. (Reported by Ahmad)
I hope this answers your question.
Please check our fatwa department for more specifics on lawful and unlawful sports.
Thanks, and please stay in touch.
Salam.
(From Ask About Islam archives)
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