The term sport comes from a French word, desporte, which means leisure. Sport encircles the activities demanding some sort of strength, endurance and skill. In relaxed sense, the term sport refers to all sorts of entertaining activities but to be more specific, it is defined as the activity which has its own techniques and which is properly planned, supervised, and governed by its own traditions, customs and proper set of rules. Health is the prerequisite for affective participation in any activity either it is sport or any other undertaking of the life. The activity of playing is mainly subject to the state of health and fitness of the participant. From the viewpoint of Islam, health and fitness are vital for properly performing the different religious obligations including offering five times daily’s prayer, taking Ramadan’s fasts and performing Hajj. In Islam, it is permissible to participate in sport rather it is Sunnah to play some sport activities like walking, running, wrestling, swimming, archery, spear-throwing horse-racing and camel-racing. Participation in sport is not against the spirit of Islam and “Shariah” provided a few Islamic guidelines with reference to participation are abode. These guidelines include, covering all the obligatory parts of the body during playing, to avoid mixing of the male and female during the course of playing and to pay due attention to offer five-times daily’s prayer. In Islam, female participation in sport is also allowed provided it is carried out in privacy and wherein no male interfere in the conduct and organization of the activity. With reference to female participation in sport, it is said that “To participate in sports women need to be out of sight of men.” For its believers, Islam encourages the life full of action. Islam encourages the activities which are health friendly and health promoting in nature. With reference to participation in sport, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said, “Any action without the remembrance of Almighty Allah is either a diversion or heedlessness with exemption to four acts; Walking from target to target (Archery), Horse Training, Playing with family and Swimming.” Islam endeavors for having good health by following healthy physical activities, avoidance of unhealthy practices and taking a balanced diet. Health and healthy habits are indispensable to each other. Health does not come as a matter of chance; it does require abidance to following good manners and healthy habits. In this regard, the Prophet (SAW) is reported to have said that, “I have been sent for the teachings and completion of manners”. The Prophet (SAW) is also reported to have said, “Fear of Almighty and good manners lead the Muslims to the heaven”. Prophet (SAW) used to say (in prayer): “I seek your protection from powerlessness (ajz), laziness (kasl), cowardice (jubn), miserliness (bukhl), and weakness (harem).”
“Cleanliness of the mind and body occupies important place in both Islam and in the process of promotion of health. Islam has declared health and tranquility as the blessings of Allah. With reference to promotion of health Islam favors participation in sport paying due regard to Islamic code of playing. Different authentic narrations prove that the holy Prophet (SAW) either participated in or encouraged some sport activities of that time like swimming, archery, horse riding, and camel racing, walking, racing, wrestling and playing with one’s own family”.
Prophet (SAW) has further said: “Our bodies have rights upon us; our eyes have rights upon us, so give everyone his due right”. Health is the product of healthy habits particularly with reference to pure and healthy diet, its amount of intake, cleanliness, proper routine of rest, sleep and exercise. Let us have a look at the Islamic stance about some of the health friendly elements related to everyday life. From the perspective of Islam, legality or otherwise of these newly invented sport events can be evaluated and determined by the scale of Islamic teachings. Meaning that participation in all those sport events that are in conformity of the spirit of Islam and wherein the participant does not violate the Islamic guidelines with reference to participation in sport like gambling, gender mixing, violating the Islamic cloth code and disregarding the “Fard” (obligatory religious practices like five times daily prayer, fasting in the month of Islamic month Ramadan etc), is allowed in Islam. Cleanliness of the mind and body occupies important place in both Islam and in the process of promotion of health. Islam has declared health and tranquility as the blessings of Allah. With reference to promotion of health Islam favors participation in sport paying due regard to Islamic code of playing. Different authentic narrations prove that the holy Prophet (SAW) either participated in or encouraged some sport activities of that time like swimming, archery, horse riding, and camel racing, walking, racing, wrestling and playing with one’s own family.
[email protected]
