Impermissibility of watching football
Question:-
I asked a Maulana whether Football was Halal or Haraam for men to watch, given that the Satr of other men is exposed (thighs etc.). He replied that I should check with a Mufti, but in his opinion, it is ok to watch as this is part of the game. He also said if it was Haraam because of this reason, then we wouldn’t be able to leave the house as we often come across people wearing shorts etc. (does this argument hold any weight?)
Something in my heart didn’t settle with this answer, so I have sent this question to Mufti Saheb:
In light of the above (Satr uncovered etc.), is it Haraam to watch football/MMA/similar sports, where this occurs?
Answer:-
It is totally impermissible (Haraam) to watch football due to the following reasons:
1. Firstly, one will be watching football on television where pictures of the players and spectators will be displayed. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Verily the worst of punishment will be meted out to the picture-makers.”
2. Amongst the spectators, there will be males and females. When the camera will be focused towards the spectators, we, as males, will be casting lustful glances on females, which is Haraam, and female viewers will be casting lustful glances on the males, which is also Haraam, even though this may be just for a fleeting moment.
3. Whilst the match is being played, a number of adverts will appear, comprising of both music and pictures which are Haraam.
4. The Satr of the players will be displayed. It is not permissible for a male to glance at the Satr of another male. The argument of the Maulana that, if viewing the Satr of others is impermissible then we shouldn’t be permitted to leave the home, is baseless. We emerge from our homes on the basis of necessity such as having to go to work, earning a livelihood, buying our daily necessities from the stores etc. Now, if these necessities are not fulfilled, then we will be harmed, hence, Shariah has permitted us to leave the home on condition that we are required to lower our gaze, fulfil our needs and return. On the contrary, such a necessity does not exist in watching a football match.
Secondly, one has the ability of lowering the gaze when leaving the house, whereas one is intentionally looking at the screen in a match hence, he will not lower his gaze. In conclusion, there is a world of a difference between the two scenarios; therefore, leaving the home on the basis of necessity will be permitted whilst watching a match will not be permitted.
5. By watching a match, one will be engaging in a futile activity. There is no benefit whatsoever in watching a match, neither in this world nor in the hereafter. In fact, one will lose ninety valuable minutes of his life by watching a single match. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “It is from the beauty of the Islam of a person that he leaves out futile activities.” By reciting a single ‘Subhanallah’, one will be planting a tree in Jannah. It is recorded in a narration of Ahmad and Nasai’ee that by reciting a single Durood Sharif upon Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, ten sins of the reciter will be forgiven, ten mercies will be showered upon the reciter and his status will be elevated ten times. Now, compare the benefit of the matters of Deen to worldly activities.
6. To engage in acts of Ibaadaat doesn’t cost anything yet the returns are so great, whilst watching a football match costs us money but the returns are zero. In fact, we have earned the displeasure of Allah and His Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. We will be accountable in the court of Allah Ta’ala for squandering our wealth by purchasing a Haraam television set and wasting electricity, or wasting data on the phone.
These are briefly some of the reasons as to why watching sports will not be permitted. Also, these are the sporting activities of the enemies of Islam yet we watch these matches and tournaments with great relish and pleasure. We, as Muslims, should harbour hatred for their sports in our hearts and only love those things that are beloved to Allah and His Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. These enemies have involved us in watching their futile sports whilst they constructively plan to rule the world and destroy the Ummah. They are able to fight wars for months without any shortage of armaments and atomic weapons, whilst we are busy fighting over which team will win by kicking a ball between two poles. May Allah Ta’ala guide us all and bless us with the correct understanding. Ameen!
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 20 Rabi-ul-Aakhir 1444 / 15 November 2022