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Name
Salem
- Hungary
Profession
Question
Assalamu `alaykum Br. Imran. How can sport benefit the Muslim youth when there are many crimes against humanity these days?
Answer
Wa alaykum asalaam. You make a very good point. I think there is definitely a reality check we must take from time to time and realize our priorities as human beings.
However, we must realize that being active is one of the foundations for health and wellbeing and benefits the youth in a multitude of ways, which include: Higher level of fitness, A sense of discipline if involved in organized
sport, a healthy dose of competitiveness to prepare one for later in life, and much more.
Being involved in sport does not stop one from being an asset to society, and you don't have to choose between the two. Take for example, the organization called Right to Play, they use sport to help children, particularly orphaned refugees to forget the horror and trauma of war.
Surely they are doing something to address crimes against humanity. I think Sport needs to be seen in a holistic context to add value, passion and energy to life, to help provide us with the spark we need to tackle the really serious issues in life, like addressing, protesting and battling against those committing crimes against humanity.
Name
Nazeem
- Saudi Arabia
Profession
Question
Salam brother Imran. When does competition start to be a bad thing?
Answer
Wa alaykum asalaam. Agreed, the dividing line is very thin between healthy competition and tribalistic hatred, violence and bitter "grudge games".
I think George Orwell referred to the latter when he said, "Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence. In other words, it is war minus the shooting."
I think it's something that will always be a problem, particularly in this age of Professionalism combined with Nationalism and the Mega Millions that some sports' stars earn. However, we are extremely fortunate that there are guidelines in Islam that if followed would benefit not only Muslim sportsmen but the entire world and would help keep competition as clean and respectful as can be.
Name
Omar
- Egypt
Profession
Question
Salam. I want to ask about in what kind of sports that ok for Muslims to play?
Answer
Wa alaykum asalaam. Since I am not a Mufti I cannot give a categorical answer here, and my opinion would be very subjective anyway! I would suggest that any sport that allows you to compete in a healthy environment, where you can still dress modestly and practice the basic tenets of your religion would be recommended. Football, Tennis, Cricket, Athletics, Swimming... these can all be easily accommodated by our Islamic Worldview. I'm not too sure about WWE Wrestling though!!
Name
Dina
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Do you think it ok for Muslim who watches sport games while other spectators are drinking alcohol?
Answer
Once again, I've got to reiterate, I am not a scholar nor a teacher of Islam. However, my opinion is that your enjoyment of a game is not related to whether another spectator drinks alcohol or not, just like there is no relation to me flying in an airplane where the passenger seated next to me is drinking alcohol and eating pork. I can still fly in the airplane enjoying the same service, but not partaking in what is haraam for me.
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Name
Soha
- United States
Profession
Question
Salamu alaikom; and thanks for your time.
Do you think it is important that Islamic school include sport in their curriculum, and why?
Answer
Wa alaykum asalaam. Thanks for joining the dialogue. I think it is imperative that Islamic Schools include sport in their curriculum. It would help foster unity and a sense of togetherness within the school, and also create stronger bonds of personal friendship between the athletes.
Also, in a general academic environment, sociologists have proven that it is highly beneficial for students to "break away" from the books from time to time in order to relax their minds and strengthen their bodies, which in turn leads to better performance academically.
Remember, Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “A strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than a weak one.” (Muslim)
Name
Reham
- Egypt
Profession
Question
Assalamu alaikom wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu. Do you think sports nowadays has taken on a more political role than just entertainment?
Answer
Wa alaykum asalaam. Absolutely, particularly in the Professional Sports World. If we remember Iran defeating The USA in a previous Football World Cup game, it was a source of tremendous joy for the nation beyond the mere entertainment factor. Also, sport has helped, albeit in a small way, unify and normalize relations between India and Pakistan. The two countries now regularly play cricket series' against each other, something unthinkable a mere decade ago.
With the mass media being able to beam all sports to all corners of the globe now, almost everybody is affected by sport to differing extents. Basil D'Oliveiria caused a major political inferno in cricketing circles when he was chosen to play for England against the country of his birth, South Africa, at the height of Apartheid.
I don't have the time to go into the details of the D'Oliveiria affair now, but the controversy surrounding his selection, being a Cape Coloured South African unable to play for South Africa because of his race, helped trigger a greater wave of Anti-Apartheid activism, particularly in Britain, in the 70's and 80's. Big-time Professional Sport and Politics are nowadays inextricably intertwined.
Name
David
- Australia
Profession
Question
Hello Mr. Garda. I think there is a lot of nationalism in sport and nationalism usually make problems between people. What do you think about that?
Answer
Nationalism has many benefits but on the whole I agree with you. The rise of the Nation State philosophy began in the early 20th Century and has caused myriad problems to society and it's extreme form is fascism. There is also an "Us and Them" that develops and this unfortunately has filtered to the sports field.
I do think that if Nationalism and a zeal for sport can be harnessed in a proper, mature way with Islamic ethics and guidelines, then these problems can be negotiated.
Name
Taghreed
- Belgium
Profession
Question
Salamu alaykum. What do you think are the most suitable games for women nowadays?
Answer
Wa alaykum asalaam. My wife enjoys boxing me! Just kidding. As I've said before, as long as your chosen sport doesn't impede on your responsibilities as a Muslim and violate the Islamic Dress-Code, there is no reason why you can't participate. Recently there has even been a case of young Muslim women playing Volleyball in a North Kenyan Refugee camp donning specially designed sporting Jilbab's. This is encouraging.
Name
Ahmed Ibrahim
- Egypt
Profession
Question
I don’t believe that “Sports” has a definite concept in Islam. I believe it’s more for fun. Why do I think so?
It is because Islam includes a set of principals and commands that if are followed properly, will do the same as sports, i.e. pray in mosque the five times, Jihad, food control, Wu’do, … etc.
“Sports” were mentioned in Islamic History in two places, the first one when Muhammad PBUH raced with Aiesha (Radi Allahu Anha), and that was for fun.
The second when it was told that we should teach our children the swimming, shooting and horsemanship.
Sorry for the long Q, but am I correct in this?
Answer
You are absolutely correct. I think the essence of what The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) tried to convey to us from your above quoted incidents is that we need to keep healthy and look after our bodies which are entrusted unto us to:
a: be physically prepared for battle and;
b: to unwind and distress in a halaal environment.
Sorry for the short "answer" but I didn't detect a "question"!
Name
Gehan
- United States
Profession
Question
I feel so happy when I find an Islamic center makes a special day for women sports whether swimming or other kinds of sports.. What is your advice to the Islamic centers which prevent women from playing any kind of sports?
Answer
My personal opinion is that as long as the event is held solely amongst women and it is used as a platform to encourage friendship, fitness and community-building, I see no reason why they should prevent these special days from happening. I hope things will change soon insha`Allah.
Name
Harry Balz
- Costa Rica
Profession
Pharmaceutical Taste Tester
Question
What are the most popular women's sports that you produce on Al Jaz'eera?
Answer
Thanks very much for your question. We are working on a number of different sports news stories and features, involving a wide range of sports across genders. Since Al Jazeera International(English) is still in the pre-launch phase, you'll have to wait and see!
