Sports In Islam

Abstract

Nobody can avoid sports or playing; for ‘playing’ is a natural phenomena. Regardless of age and state; everybody is engaged in some kind of sport somehow; everybody plays sport or is interested in some kind of sport. In Islam it is not only permissible but religious obligation (Sunnaha )- a Prophetic  tradition to play some sports. These include walking, running, wrestling, swimming, horse riding etc. In essence participation in ‘sport ‘ in Islam are twofold ; one to be fit and healthy to carry out fundamental religious obligations like dawah (call towards Islam), offering  five times prayer daily, keeping  fasts and performing Hajj and ; second  to protect oneself and sacred limits of Islam against enemy, evils, aggression and oppression commonly termed as ‘jihad’. Further Islam encourages sports which involves mutual love, respect and cooperation and prohibits sport which involves grudge, hatred and animosity. In this paper an effort has been made to throw light on ‘participation in sport’ in the light of Islamic rules or guidelines .This paper is primarily based on secondary data. The  main aim of the paper is  to explore  Islamic teachings about the ruling of sport so that it will be not just entertaining activity but a blessed and fruitful one. Besides, it’s purpose is to develop taste for the ‘participation in sport’ and to broaden our understanding regarding.