Fatwa ID: 05647

Answered by: Maulana Abrarul H. Hasib

Question:

I wanted to ask regarding Paintballing. Please could Mufti Saab advise regarding paintballing, is it permissible to play in this or not? I have been told the paintball shells are made from pork gelatine hence it is not permissible to play paintball. Please advise. JazakaAllah

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

In the beginning, the shell of paintballs was made from glass. This was when it was used for cattle and tree marking. The glass was very thin and easily broke on impact releasing the dye. However, this changed over time especially when it became a sporting activity. Gelatin is now the material of choice and is fairly strong but safer than glass.

The shell is actually made of gelatin because of the many advantages that gelatin has in terms of paintball use.

The gelatine used in paintballs is commonly derived from pigs, hence it is not permissible. [1]

If any paintball shell’s gelatine is derived from non-animal then it will be permissible.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Abrarul H. Hasib

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

[1] Fatawa Uthmani, Vol. 4, Pg. 338, Maktabah Ma’ariful Qur’an.

[1] Chand Aham Asri Masa’il, Vol. 2, Pg. 324, Maktabah Darul Deoband.