Fatwa ID: 04701

Answered by: Mufti Eunus Ali

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum Hazrat.

In the Hanafi madhab is permissible to engage in sports to pass time, or for leisure? Providing satr is covered, deeni responsibilities are fulfilled, and it’s not paid for money?

I have come across this Hadith:

“Every game a person plays is futile except for archery, training one’s horse and playing with one’s wife.” (Sunan Tirmidhi, Musnad Ahmad, Sunan Ibn Majah)

How is this Hadith accepted by the Hanafi jurists to address those questions, where brothers wish for some downtime and engage in sports activities.

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

Answer:

Mulla Ali Qari (may Allah have mercy upon him) has stated commenting on the above Hadith: and included in the meaning of the hadith are all those matters which assist in (achieving) the truth, (gaining) knowledge and (carrying out) actions whilst they are neutral (mubaah) issues. For example competing with another with a horse, camel and taking a stroll with the intention of strengthening the body and relax the brain.[1]

We can conclude from the above statement of Mulla Ali Qari that to engage in activities such as sports or taking out some time to relax is not blameworthy or contradictory to the Hadith when it has a religious or physical benefit, provided it does not comprise any unlawful aspect.

Our religion teaches us to be moderate in all things.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Mufti Eunus Ali

Checked and Approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

[1]Tuhfatul Ahwazhi, Page 1464, Baytul Afkaar Ad-Dawliyyah