Q. I have read your booklet on the Astro Turf project. I was surprised to learn that Mufti Ebrahim Desai has advised on its permissibility. What is your opinion about Mufti Ebrahim Desai? Is he on the Haqq?

A. We are of the opinion that Mufti Ebrahim Desai is among the Ulam-e-Haqq. Every Aalim errs now and again. Furthermore, we do not believe that he actually believes kuffaar sport is halaal. Regarding the astor turf project there appears to be some misunderstanding, hence the error. We reproduce three of Mufti Ebrahim Desai’s fatwas in which he makes it abundantly clear that kuffaar sports are haraam.

FIRST FATWA

Question

As-salaamu `alaykum wa-ramatullahi wa-barakatuh.

Respectable Mufti sahib,

I am a student studying in an Islamic High School. My fellow Muslim colleagues are indulged in supporting football/basketball etc….

Is their argument that one should look after his health and keep fit correct to justify their action?

Am I supposed to ignore their condition or what will Mufti sahib advice?

Salaams and duas,

Hassan.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

May Allah reward you for your concern for our fellow muslim colleges.

Allah Ta’aala says,

Do, however, keep advising; for advising benefits those endowed with faith. [Quran 51\55]

The harms and evil consequences of watching matches are clear.

The following attached fatwa highlights the evils in detail.

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

In today’s society, following professional sports and supporting a team has become an obsession and craze. For the vast majority of people, it has become a vital element of life.

In terms of Sharīah, there are many evils associated with following professional sports. The harms are exemplified to a greater degree when one passionately supports a particular team. Some of the evils are listed below:

• Love for one’s team: The love for one’s team becomes entrenched in the heart. This is totally against the temperament of Sharīah. The heart is created by Allāh to entertain only the love of Allāh and His Rasūl Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam. The enrooted love for one’s team deprives him from attaining the recognition and love of Allāh. The love of Qurān and everything associated with Dīn also leaves the heart.
• Mad obsession and distraction: The love for one’s team blinds the diehard fan and supporter from everything else besides sports. Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam has stated:

The love of something blinds and deafens the lover. (Sunan Abī Dāwūd)

This is extremely detrimental and destructive to one’s Dīn. Many a times, the love of one’s team takes him away from performing Salāh and going to the Masjid, especially when one is engrossed in watching a live match.

• Love for players: When one supports a team, the players become his idols and heroes. He tries to imitate their lifestyle and yearns to be like them. Many a times, these players are Kuffār (disbelievers) and Fussāq (shameless sinners) involved in alcohol, drugs, and women. Imagine the effect on a person whose role-models are sinking in the disobedience of Allāh! A Muslim is one who follows the beautiful teachings of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam and not a player whose actions invite the wrath of Allāh.
• Nationalism: Fans develop a deep love for their national team. As a result, the fans are affected by patriotism. A type of hatred and spite is created for people of other nationalities. The media creates a patriotic atmosphere and induces malice between nations. This type of attitude is totally against Sharīah.
• Music: The love for one’s team drives him to watch his team perform. During the game, loud music is played in support of the national team. Music is poison for the heart. It penetrates the heart and causes hypocrisy to form within.
• Waste of time: One’s valuable and precious time is wasted in following the stats of one’s team and watching one’s team perform. Life is bestowed by Allāh Ta’ālā to utilize in recognizing and obeying Allāh Ta’ālā. There is neither worldly benefit nor religious benefit in supporting a team.

Hence, due to the above-mentioned reasons, it is not allowed for one to support a professional team.

In conclusion, a Muslim is one who develops the love of Allāh within his heart. His living and dying is only for Allāh. He does not waste his time and life in insignificant pursuits such as following professional sports and supporting a team.

You should apply wisdom and diplomacy in taking your friends in your confidence an offering them advice and forwarding them the attached fatwa.

The argument presented by the students to keep themselves fit and healthy is incorrect.

There are many acceptable ways to keep oneself fit and healthy.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Muhammed Al-Ameen Bin Moulana Ismail Akoo

Student Darul Iftaa Newcastle; KZN, South Africa

Checked and Approved by, Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

SECOND FATWA

Question

My immediate aims are to be accepted in Oxford University and Inshallah in the next few years be good enough to play cricket for my country, Pakistan. To the best of my knowledge, my Neeat is true, yet i seek a Prayer that will allow me to express these ambitions clearly as i know nothing is possible without Allah’s will. I also seek to realise justifiable my aims are Islamically.

Answer

Any past time games whether on video, computer, etc. falls in the category of Lahw and Laáb (useless and pasttime) hence, not permissible. Allah Taãla, the Creator of our Universe, declares in the Noble Qurãn:

“I have not created Man and Jinn except for (the purpose) of worship.”(Qurãn 51:57)

When our Maker and Rabb whom we, the creation are accountable to, invariably states our purpose in this world then our objective will be just that despite any human being thinking otherwise. No creation can change this directive.

Having said that, the Noble Qurãn on no less than five places warns about this worldly life - that this life is but a sport and a past-time. The two words used are ‘lahw’ and ‘laáb’ which the Jurists have defined as games, sports, and past-times. Basically ‘lahw’ and ‘laáb’ do not bring any benefit and together takes one away from the remembrance of Allah Taãla and the Hereafter.

Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said,

“Every game of man is Haraam except three: a man plays with his wife, breaking (training) one?s horse and archery.”

In another Hadith, Ibn Umar (Radhiyallaahu Ánhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said,

“Teach your children swimming and archery.”

Jurists have commented that a sport/game : a) which has no religious Or worldly benefit is not permissible; b) which has worldly or religious benefit is subjected to the following conditions:

i) that none of it should be contrary to the Shariáh

ii) that it (the sport/game) should not resemble the sport/games specifically identified with other religious communities e.g. Yoga; which may have some worldly and/or religious benefit but includes an impermissible act e.g. wrestling (exposing the awrah).

Due to the many evils in contemporary sports, it is not permissible for you to intend participating in playing cricket for your country. To make a sincere intention for a wrong thing is baseless. and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai FATWA DEPT.

THIRD FATWA

Question

I have asked a few questions that have never been answered yet. If you can please answer this one it would be greatly appreciated.

In my previous job i have had a very hard time performing my salah on time Despite trying very hard to perform my salah on time there were times i missed my salah. Even looking into other jobs i find i will have the same problem and miss some salah. Based on this I would like to know if it would be permissible to become a pro boxing so i wouldn’t miss my salah. I would also like to know what would happen if i end up dying in the ring or my opponent dies in the ring accidentally, would Allah punish me for this? I would only adopt this sport so i can perform my salah on time. If you can please answer it would be greatly appreciated.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Your attitude towards performing Salah timeously is encouraging. We make Dua Allah grant you a flexible means of income in which you could perform your Salah on time. Ameen.

It is not permissible to adopt boxing as a means of income as boxing is not permissible.

Consider the following Ahadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) has narrated, The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “If somebody fights (or beats somebody) then he should avoid the face.” [1]

“An individual should not harm others or be harmed by others in return” [2]

It is clear from the above that it is not permissible for you to choose boxing as a career. However, if one learns boxing merely to stay fit and to defend one’s self, this will be permissible with the condition referred to in the Hadith i.e. avoid hitting the face.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Bilal Issak

Student Darul Iftaa Leicester, England, UK

Checked and Approved by, Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

22 Rabiyul Awwal 1239 – 11 December 2023