Tirmidhi

Note:
➊ (In the first chain of narration, two narrators—a follower of the followers (tabi‘ tabi‘i) and a follower (tabi‘i)—are omitted.
However, the portion “Everything with which a Muslim man amuses himself is falsehood except his practicing archery, his training his horse, and his playing with his family” is strengthened by the next chain of narration and is therefore authentic.)

Benefits and Issues:
According to Shaykh al-Albani, this narration is weak.
However, our esteemed researcher has declared it to be hasan (good).
Because of this, the permissibility and virtue of the actions mentioned in the hadith are established.
Therefore, if there is a plan for recreation, preference should be given to one of the aforementioned forms of recreation, so that along with physical strength and enjoyment, one may also become deserving of reward from Allah.

Benefits and Issues: ➊
A Muslim should engage in such recreational activities from which some benefit for religion or worldly life can be attained.
The concept of recreation for the sake of recreation is incorrect. ➋
By practicing archery, one achieves the objective of self-defense as well as preparation for fighting in the cause of religion; therefore, this is a permissible form of recreation.

(3)
In the modern era, acquiring training in those weapons which can be used in war against the disbelievers falls under the ruling of “practicing archery.”

(4)
The purpose of training a horse is to utilize it in war; therefore, learning to drive and operate various vehicles, tanks, airplanes, etc., as well as their maintenance and repair, is also included in this.

(5)
Playfulness with one’s wife is a means of protecting oneself and her from sin.
And chastity holds special importance among the desired qualities of an Islamic society.
The protection of morals and character is just as important as the defense of the country’s borders.
In addition, obtaining righteous offspring from one’s wife is an important means of defending the Islamic state.
This is the reason why disbelieving countries teach Muslims to reduce their population, while they themselves strive to increase their own populations.

Urdu footnote:
The word "munabbil" is used in Arabic for "the one who hands over the arrow." Its meaning can also be "the one who provides arrows," that is, the one who purchases and gives them from his wealth, or the one who brings back the arrows after they have been shot. The purpose of the hadith is that whoever has even the slightest share in a good deed will certainly receive reward and recompense, each according to his share. No one will be deprived of reward.

(1) "It is preferable" because if one does not know how to shoot arrows, then horseback riding is useless, whereas archery alone is beneficial.

(2) "Recommended games" means that there is reward in them because through them the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala is attained, whereas other games only provide physical amusement, and what is the benefit of such physical amusement that serves no purpose? If physical amusement and exercise are beneficial in jihad and the like, then they are a cause for reward.

(3) "Was ungrateful," however, if one leaves it due to other engagements, then there is no harm.

(4) The researcher of the book has declared the chain of this narration to be hasan, whereas other researchers have declared this narration to be weak due to the unknown status of Khalid bin Yazid. However, the part "three games are recommended" is established from other authentic ahadith. For details, see (Dhakheerat al-‘Uqba, Sharh Sunan al-Nasa’i: 13/30 and Da‘if Sunan al-Nasa’i, no. 3580).