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... the science of peace |
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Q: Is the use of stimulants permissible in sportive
competitions? A: This is permissible by itself if considered an
independent choice made by a human being, but it is not permissible in
sportive competitions, which represent a contract among competitors on
the basis of commitment to specific conditions, where the athlete’s
movement is based on his normal body and self-power apart from any
additional element that may make his movement excessively powerful, as
in the case of using special stimulants. So, a Muslim must keep his word and must be loyal
to his commitment, in accordance with the Tradition that says :“
Believers are committed to their promises”. In the light of what is
mentioned above, the use of stimulants by athletes is not permissible,
nor can they get a medal or a prize in case they win by illegal means. Q: Is it permissible for a competitor to provoke
his opponent in an attempt to make him lose his temper and
consequently drive the referee to send him away, where both the course
and the result of the game may be affected? A: If the rules of the game don’t permit this
considering it an essential condition in the content of the contract,
he is not permitted to do so in accordance with the implied
conditions. Q: Is it permissible for the player to aggressively
counterattack his opponent, whether in the arena or the ring or
outside? A: Even though it is permissible by itself, he is
not permitted to do so if the rules of the game forbid the
counterattack on the basis of the contract’s conditions. Q: Is it permissible for the competitor to make a
deal before the game concerning gain and loss for a sum of money? A: It is not permissible if it is considered a
cheat in the nature of the game or a violation to the contract among
competitors, which undertake the game on the basis of seriousness and
natural outcome of the game in the field, without deceiving the
audience. Q: Is it permissible for the spectators to bet
token amounts of money for the winner in order to encourage the
competitors and to make the game more enthusiastic? A: This is not permissible in the sportive
competitions, but it is fair to give the winner a token prize. Q: Is it permissible for the competitor to pretend
that he is suffering pain to influence the referee’s decisions? A: Man must not disguise his true nature beneath
false appearances, for it is just like telling lies, especially if it
is done to influence the referee’s decisions, because this is an
attempt to exert psychological pressure on the referee to rule the
game falsely. This doesn’t comply with the contract, which is based
on the fact that the decisive result must be through the realistic
nature of the matter. Q: How do you view the following competitions A: The above – Q: Is the act of buying and selling professional
players which is adopted by western clubs and implemented in some of
our countries permissible? A: This is permissible, but this is not a process
of selling and buying , for the club doesn’t own the player himself
to sell him to another club, but the club dispenses with the player,
who has been committed to play for such a club in tournament and
competitions, so the money paid will be in return for this
dispensation, by which the player will be exempted from the previously
required conditions to meet other requirements in the new club. Q: Is the player obliged to report a foul he has
noticed in his team to the referee, who has failed to notice it? A: The referee must be informed if the rules of the
game impose reporting on the basis of mutual conditions implied in the
contract, But if this is not observed in the contract, the player is
not obliged to do so. Q: Is professionalism permissible in games like
football, basketball or any other games? A: Professionalism as a career is permissible
provided that the professional player regards the lawful conditions in
such situations. Q: Is making bets on competitive sport teams
permissible? What about a bet without a stipulated sum of money? A: This bet is illegal, and money agreed upon by
the two parties can’t be possessed by the winning wager, but the
player holds no responsibility for he is not concerned, so he is
permitted to play in the mentioned situation. Q: Do you consider the field punishment imposed by
the referee, such as temporary suspension of a player who has
committed a foul against his opponent legally permissible? A: Since the contract among the players or the
supervising clubs is based on imposing the mentioned punishment on the
foul player, it is permissible for the referee to take such measure,
and the player or his club must respect their commitment to the joint
contract. Q: Is it permissible for Moslem teams to play
against enemy’s team in International Tournaments? A: It is permissible if refraining from playing
leads to the loss of a great opportunity in the sportive field, where
a binding disadvantage is consequent; otherwise, it is not
permissible. But it is obvious that such a situation will not
lead to a serious outcome, for it is common among the players that
they comply with their governments’ decisions in similar
circumstances without any negative consequences. Q: Is it permissible for a Moslem player to join a
foreign team as in some refugee states-keeping in mind that dealing
with the coach and the team members may influence him? A It is not permissible if the mentioned influence
leads him to deviate, to commit sins or to be impressed by their
non-Islamic world. But it is permissible if the influence has nothing
to do with the religious commitment, but with matters that require
neither sin nor deviation. Moreover, in such a situation, the matter must be
carefully studied, just like any case of mixing or cooperating with
non-Moslems in public and private affairs. Q: Is counterfeiting the ages of team players as a
means of gain permissible ? How would you view the result if the team
wins ? A: This is not permissible, for it is considered a
breach of the contract in its implied and stated conditions, which
stipulate specified ages for the concerned players.. Q: In some violent sports, the athlete knows before
hand that the game may lead to serious injury to his body. Is this athlete, who voluntary practices these
games, sinful? A: It is not permissible if the damage is so
serious that it doesn’t correspond to the result expected, and if it
is by no means a reasonable compensation for damage. Whereas, if the
acquired interests are of great value for his life and if the injury
is not that serious that leads to disability it is permissible.
Moreover, it is obvious that people in their nature, reasonably
disapprove of the games that may lead to disability. Therefore, games
that lead to such results are not permissible. Q: Body building depends on growing the muscles,
and displaying them before people, so this takes the muscles a
longtime to grow to the desired shape. How does Islam view this type
of sport? A: This is lawful, for its positive consequences
are great in many respects. Also, this can be used in Jihad and can be
used to defend one self, one’s honor ,one’s money …etc. Q: What are the limitations of woman’s sports? Is
the woman allowed to play tennis, for instance, if she maintains her
legal outfit? A: In general, woman are allowed to join sportive acts
provided that they play with other women, not men, and provided that
they maintain the legal conditions of Hijab (veil), for woman’s need
of sports is by no means less than that of the man’s, therefore in
principle-there is no legal impediment. Q: Can a Moslem join a team whose members commit
legal violations, such as drinking alcohol or other offences? A: This is permissible by itself, if he is not
affected or encouraged to commit offences, on the basis of the
obligation of forbidding the evil. Q: Is it permissible for Moslem athletes to take
part in some sportive contests which are organized for profit and can
they keep their prizes? A: This is permissible, since the associations can
benefit from the ticket money paid by spectators, or through publicity
that makes them well known. Also the prize bought by the mentioned
money can be taken in return for playing a game as a commission. Q: Is it lawful for a winning team to demand of the
people in charge cash money as a substitute for the gold cup or for
medals? A: It is permissible, for the prize is its
property, but the people in charge of the game are not obliged to
respond to the team’s demands. Q: Tennis is a game that depends on winning points
regardless of the time they take, consequently, the game may last for
many hours, Are the practice and the watching of this game lawful? A: Both practicing and watching the game are lawful
if this act doesn’t deter the player and the spectator from prayers,
and from carrying out human binding obligations, and if this act
doesn’t lead to any other offence. Q: What is the Islamic rule, concerning the sport
shorts worn by basketball players, football players, or the players of
any other similar game? A: By it self, it’s permissible for the player to
wear sport shorts. Also it’s permissible for the spectators to watch
them if this doesn’t lead to any other offence. Q: Is sympathizing with the enemy’s sport teams
allowed? A: Muslims’ emotions should move in the line of his
faithful commitment, so they must not sympathize with their enemy, who
might benefit from this support in many respects. Q: In some of your opinions, you believe that
sports sometimes strip the Moslem of prestige and chivalry due to his
loss of control over his temper in some contests. Would this reach the
degree of illegality? A: The legal rule of the matter pertains to the
nature of passions, movements and practices shown by the player or the
fan. They are illegal if the outcome is illegal, whereas, if they put
forth nothing illegal or disliked, they are legal. Moreover, the moral line of Islam demands that the
believer should always control his temper and be aware of the positive
and the negative consequences of his deeds. Therefore, he is not
allowed to act under the influence of his passion, which may cause him
to lose the ability to see things clearly. Q: How do you view the spectator’s negative
reaction to the match, which may result in cursing, and insulting the
losing team and even throwing rotten tomatoes and eggs at them? A: this is by no means permissible on the basis of
the illegality of offending others by words or deeds, which leads to
insult or harm. Q: What are the legal limitations of practicing
sports in general? A: The legal limitations of sports are not
different from the limitations of any other act; namely, a Moslem must
commit oneself to the legal obligations of the act’s nature, to abide
by contracts, to keep his word, and not to offend, cheat or harm
others. Man has the right to play the games whose benefits
enable him to grow and strengthen his body, to make use of his
abilities, and to assert his position in these domains, among the
nations, which raises the status of Islamic nation before others: On the other hand, while playing any game or
practicing any sport, a Moslem must be aware of the true meaning of
Islam whether in his individual behavior or in his relation with
others. So, he must not be wholly absorbed in a game, not to be
distracted from God’s orders and prohibitions here or there and to
lose control over his actions in the different aspects of life. In
short, the real Moslem never make a step forward or backward until he
realizes that such a step leads to God’s satisfaction. Q: Some believe that football is a game that trains
the feet but paralyzes the mind, taking into account that football
prevents the player from working and thinking. What do you say? A: I think the matter in question is not as
negative as mentioned. I guess football is a physically beneficial
game. By itself, this game leads, to good results since it distracts
the youth from being preoccupied with thoughts about illegal
amusement. It also fills their time with what benefits their bodies
and enhances in them the feeling of the necessity of joining a
competition against others with no dangerous outcome. But, whether in
this game or any other one, Islam insists that a Muslim should not be
completely obsessed, not to be distracted from one’s Islamic
responsibilities towards his family or towards his life as a whole. Q: Violent sports, like wrestling and boxing,
arouse man’s brutal instincts –what is the Islamic rule concerning
this issue? A. There are two approaches that one can utilize
with respect to this kind of sport. The first pertains to man’s need
to defend oneself. In this case leaning boxing, if one is exposed to
any aggression anywhere, and we all are aware of the fact that women
who were subject to assault or any other attacks, could help him to
survive. Therefore, such a type of violent sports is among the means
and ways used by man to defend himself. In Short, it is permissible
for a Moslem to learn these games, to watch them, and to practice them
against any attack. The Second approach deals with the harmful consequences undergone
by the boxer as in tearing out the opponent’s eye or in breaking a
home. In this respect, there are many legal reservations, especially
if the mentioned games are taken as a profession, and not as a means
for self-defense, because it’s not permissible for man to seriously
harm any other person-even with his approval- also because no one is
allowed to enable his opponent to violently cut his eye or to break
his bone unless it’s related to a supreme interest, as when man’s life
largely depends on the extirpation of one of his body organs..
* Taken from: www.bayynat.org
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