Fatwa ID: 07727
Answered by Mawlana Muhammad Zubair Khan Alizai
Question:
Hello, I wanted to know if it is allowed to become a professional footballer and earn a salary with it?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Yes, it is permissible to be a professional footballer and earn a living from it.
There is a general principle in Islam which is that the matters are based on their objectives and the hadith of Rasulullah sallAllahu alayhi wasallam that every action is dependent on its intention. As long as there is nothing that contravenes the Islamic laws then by extension football as a professional job would be allowed.
We learn from the life of Rasulullah sallAllahu alayhi wasallam that he put a lot of emphasis on physical strength and well-being, such that he once said that a strong believer is better than a weak believer. It is important that we have an active lifestyle and that we are physically fit however that is achieved, whether it be by playing football or by exercising.
There are certain things that I feel are important to outline here in relation to sports, and that which you need to pay attention to if you decide to pursue a career in sports;
- You do not engage in unlawful activities: This could be revealing your nakedness – for a man it is to cover your body between your knees and your bellybutton both included, so you have to make sure that you are covering this when playing football. You are not actively promoting alcohol or gambling whether that is by being in ads or by physical representation like on shirts. There is no lying, no cursing and no intention to harm others.
- You make sure that Islamic rulings are not downgraded and that priority is given to Islam – f.ex praying salah in its time and not delaying it for no reason or even worse making it qadhaa. You are able to fast during ramadan and playing football is not an excuse to miss obligatory fasting. You give zakah of your surplus wealth and do not hoard the wealth or invest it in unlawful places.
Only Allah knows best
Written by Mawlana Muhammad Zubair Khan Alizai
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
- Al-Qawaaid Al-Fiqhiyyah – page 12 Maktabah Dar ul Tirmidhi
الأمور بمقاصدها
- Saheeh ul Bukhari – hadith nr 1
إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى، فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى دُنْيَا يُصِيبُهَا أَوْ إِلَى امْرَأَةٍ يَنْكِحُهَا، فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى مَا هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِ
- Saheeh Muslim with commentary of Imam Nawawi – Maktabah Dar Ihyaa al-Turaath al-Arabiy – hadith nr 2664
(باب الايمان للقدر والاذعان له)
قَوْلُهُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
[٢٦٦٤] (الْمُؤْمِنُ الْقَوِيُّ خَيْرٌ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِ الضَّعِيفِ وَفِي كُلٍّ خَيْرٌ) وَالْمُرَادُ بِالْقُوَّةِ هُنَا عَزِيمَةُ النَّفْسِ وَالْقَرِيحَةُ فِي أُمُورِ الْآخِرَةِ فَيَكُونُ صَاحِبُ هَذَا الْوَصْفِ أَكْثَرَ إِقْدَامًا عَلَى الْعَدُوِّ فِي الْجِهَادِ وَأَسْرَعَ خُرُوجًا إِلَيْهِ وَذَهَابًا فِي طَلَبِهِ وَأَشَدَّ عَزِيمَةً فِي الْأَمْرِ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَالنَّهْيِ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَالصَّبْرِ عَلَى الْأَذَى فِي كُلِّ ذَلِكَ وَاحْتِمَالِ الْمَشَاقِّ فِي ذَاتِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى وَأَرْغَبَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ وَالصَّوْمِ وَالْأَذْكَارِ وَسَائِرِ الْعِبَادَاتِ وَأَنْشَطَ طَلَبًا لَهَا وَمُحَافَظَةً عَلَيْهَا وَنَحْوَ ذَلِكَ وَأَمَّا قَوْلُهُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَفِي كُلٍّ خَيْرٌ فَمَعْنَاهُ فِي كُلٍّ مِنَ الْقَوِيِّ وَالضَّعِيفِ خَيْرٌ لِاشْتِرَاكِهِمَا فِي الْإِيمَانِ …