Sports – Halaal or Haraam?

Question: Kindly state whether sports like cricket, soccer etc. are permissible in Deen or not? These days, I have noted, and it is a fact, that even Ulama indulge in indoor soccer, mini cricket and all other similar sporting events during the weekends. And the same Ulama will then address the Jumu’ah crowd from the Mimbar, deliver a Khutbah and make Imaamat of the daily Salaats. Please clarify.

Answer: You have correctly stated that Ulama participate in sports. This is a major crime from their side. Forget Ulama, even Muslims are not allowed to indulge and participate in sports. 

The common ‘kicking of a ball’ or ‘throwing of a ball’ played in the backyard with friends, children, siblings or relatives should also be avoided. And Ulama should keep far away from any form of sports.

We here-under mention few quotes from the Kitaabs pertaining to sports. Perhaps these references can be mentioned to those Ulama who participate in sports so that in the event they have not studied these Kitaabs, at least they can turn to those pages to see. We hope that it will be of benefit to all, Insha ALlah.  

Lahw-La’b (sport, amusement, futility). What the Fuqaha say:

“Every sport is impermissible because Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Every sport of the son of Aadam (mankind) is baatil except his play with his wife, training with his horse and practising with his bow.” (Al-Jaamius Sagheer, Vol. 1, page 483)

Explaining the prohibition of backgammon and chess, it is mentioned in Tabyeenul Haqaaiq, Vol. 6, page 414: “Playing with backgammon, chess and every sport is not permissible because Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: ‘Every sport of Ibn Aadam (i.e. of man) is haraam except three: his play with his wife, his training with his horse, and his practising with his bow.”

Al-Bahrur Raaiq, Vol. 8, page 236: “Playing with chess, backgammon and every sport are not permissible because Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: ‘Every play of Ibn Aadam is haraam except three……..”

In the kitaab, Majma-ul Anhaar fi Sharhi Muntaqil Abhur, Vol. 4, page 222 it is mentioned: “Playing with backgammon, chess and arba’ ashar which is a sport adopted by the Yahood, and every other sport are haraam
because Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: ‘Every sport of Ibn Aadam is haraam……..”