Question:-
A friend recently forwarded a fatwa by Mufti Ibrahim Ahmed which states:
“Sports such as pedal tennis, soccer, cricket etc. are Kuffar sports which we,as Muslims, should try and avoid.”
Kindly clarify the following:
1.unfortunately despite contacting many Ulema we were unable to receive a Sharee definition of ” Kuffar sport” Could you kindly define it from the statements of the Fuqaha.
2. If these are “Kuffar sports” then how would we define Muslim sports?
3. Due to the Kuffar also riding horses, doing archery, swimming etc will these also become Haraam?
4. Will it also apply to using guns, rockets etc in Jihaad?
Answer:-
1. Football as we know it today – sometimes known as association football or soccer -began in England, with the laying down of rules by the football association in 1863. While no single individual can realistically lay claim to being the ‘inventor’ of football, Ebenezer Morley has been referred to as the ‘father’ of the Football association.
Cricket was reputedly created by English children during the Saxon or Norman era. The first recorded cricket match between adult teams was played in Sussex in 1611.
The racket sport traditionally named lawn tennis, invented in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England, now commonly known simply as tennis, is the direct descendant of what is now denoted real tennis or royal tennis, which continues to be played today as a separate sport with more complex rules. The first lawn Tennis Club and tournament was held in Royal Leamington Spa on 1 August 1882.
Padel tennis was invented in Acapulco, Mexico by Enrique Corcuera in 1969, after he modified his squash court to incorporate elements of platform tennis.
The above clearly indicates that these sports were invented by the Kuffar in various parts of the world. A child that is born in Makkah Sharif is generally referred to as ‘Makki’ due to being attributed to Makkah Sharif whilst a child born in Madinah Sharif is referred to as ‘Madni.’. Imam Nawawi Rahimahullah hails from a place called Nawa hence he is referred to as ‘Nawawi’ and similarly many of the scholars are attributed to the place that they hail from. In a like manner the actions of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam are attributed to the master Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam and referred to as ‘Sunnah.’ If we understand and accept the above, then in a like manner, the sports invented and initiated by the Kuffar are attributed to them and referred to as ‘Kuffar sports.’ You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand a simple explanation.
Furthermore, your request to define ‘Kuffar sports’ from Fiqh is similar to asking, “Define a television or Facebook from Fiqh.” It is obvious that these were unheard of during the time of the jurists, so it was never mentioned in the Kitaabs of Fiqh. However, they have left behind principles that will assist us to simplify matters and determine whether they are permitted in terms of Shariah or not. Based on the various wrongs in Kuffar sports we conclude that they are not permitted. Some of these wrongs are all follows; exposing the Satr, training and playing for lengthy durations due to which Salaah is neglected, interacting and enjoying the company of non-Muslim players at times, leaving the home without necessity, females being trained by males or even females competing against males at times, female dieticians interacting with male players which results in various wrongs, games being videoed and even broadcasted, players being photographed, squandering of wealth, love for name and fame when playing at a national and international level, advertising for companies that sell Haraam such as alcohol companies by wearing their garments, etc. which are all against the teachings of the Quraan and Sunnah.
2. Any sport that is proven from the Ahadith is a ‘Sunnah sport’ or ‘Muslim sport’ even though the Kuffar benefit from it. The Kuffar benefit from many of our teachings as they have witnessed the benefit of doing so. It doesn’t make it their teachings and it will always remain the teachings of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
3. Purchasing artillery and weapons of destruction is not a sport, hence the comparison that you are making to sports is incorrect. If you intend applying Qiyaas (analogical deduction) then it should be applied correctly. There must be a common factor between the Maqees and Maqees Alaihi (the item that is being compared and the item to which it is compared). There is nothing in common between sports and Jihaad. Sports is primarily to keep fit and healthy, and it is nowadays played for entertainment or to pass-time, whereas the objective of Jihaad is to cause the name of Allah Ta’ala to reign supreme, or Jihaad is to defend one’s life, wealth, property, etc. Secondly, there is no prohibition in Shariah preventing us from trading with the Kuffar, or being courteous towards them, or assisting them and showing kindness to them if there no danger to Deen. Yes, we are prohibited from befriending and loving them. So again, your argument of not using or purchasing their missiles, artillery, weapons of destruction, falls away.
In conclusion, the Fatwa of Mufti Ibrahim Ahmed is in order and remains. May Allah Ta’ala bless us with His love and the love of His Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam and protect us from the ways and mannerisms of the Kuffar.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 10 Rajab 1445 / 22 January 2024
