Shariah Ruling on Playing Football: A Detailed Analytical Review 
Source: Fatāwā Shaykh al-Ḥadīth Mubārakpūrī, Volume 1, Page 154❖ Question:
Is it permissible to play football in Islam?
Case Background:
Zaid claims that playing football is permissible since many scholars themselves engage in it.
ʿUmar, however, believes it is impermissible for Muslims because football originates from Christian (Nasara) culture.
He cites the Hadith:
"من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم"
(Narrated by Abū Dāwūd, Book of Clothing, Chapter: Wearing Fame, Hadith 4031, Volume 3, Page 314 – Graded ḥasan ṣaḥīḥ. Also found in Abū Dāwūd Vol. 2, p. 302)
Another Hadith quoted is:
"إن اليهود والنصارى لا يصبغون فخالفوهم"
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: Book of Prophets, Chapter on what is narrated from Banī Isrāʾīl, Volume 4, Page 143)
According to the author of Tadhkīr al-Ikhwān, these narrations suggest that football is completely impermissible, arguing that Muslims have become so addicted to it that they disregard both religious and worldly responsibilities, thereby adopting the ways of disbelievers.
❖ Clarification of the Hadiths:
To determine the ruling on football, the meaning and context of these Hadiths must be understood correctly.
Imām Amīr al-Yamānī, in Subul al-Salām (Vol. 4, p. 273), writes regarding the Hadith:
"من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم"
➡ “This Hadith indicates that anyone who imitates the disobedient, the disbelievers, or innovators in a matter exclusive to them—be it in clothing, vehicles, or appearance—is regarded as one of them.”
❖ Classification of Practices and Their Rulings:
① If something is a religious symbol of disbelievers, or associated with open sin and immorality:
➤ Adopting it is strictly prohibited (ḥarām) in Shariah.
② If something is merely a cultural or national custom, and not a religious or sinful identity:
➤ Adopting it is not ḥarām from a Shariah perspective, though it may be politically or socially harmful.
Status of Football in Islam:
◈ Football is not a religious symbol of Christians or disbelievers.
◈ It is not a representation of immorality or sinful behavior.
◈ It is a physical activity and exercise, much like traditional games in the subcontinent (e.g., running, wrestling, kabaddi, etc.).
The purpose of these sports is to:
✔ Enhance physical agility
✔ Improve health and fitness
✔ Encourage strength-building — all of which are Shariah-compliant objectives.
❖ Exercise as Preparation for Jihād
If physical training is undertaken with the intention of preparing for Jihād, then it is:
✔ Commendable (mustaḥabb)
✔ A source of reward.
As Allah said:﴿وأعدوا لهم ما استطعتم من قوة﴾ (Al-Anfāl: 60)
"And prepare against them whatever you can of power..."
Also:﴿فاضربوا فوق الأعناق واضربوا منهم كل بنان﴾ (Al-Anfāl: 12)
"...Then strike [them] over the necks and smite every fingertip of them."
✔ The Prophet ﷺ wrestled with Rukānah,
✔ Samurah and Rāfiʿ also wrestled, with Samurah winning and being allowed to join the army.
✔ The Companions were encouraged to race horses, all of which point to Islam's positive view of physical fitness.
❖ Ruling on Modern Sports:
Games like football, volleyball, hockey, and others are:
Permissible and allowed provided the following conditions are met:① No gambling or betting is involved.
② Religious obligations (like ṣalāh) are not neglected.
③ No immodesty or violation of Islamic dress codes occurs.
❖ Use of Modern Inventions
Just as the permissible use of technology—telephone, television, radio, trains, motorcycles, machine guns, cannons, poisonous gas, etc.—is not considered sinful imitation, likewise:
◈ Playing football, without violating Shariah principles, does not fall under the prohibition of imitating disbelievers.
To include such matters under the Hadith of "تشبہ" is:
✖ Extremism (غلو فی الدین)
✖ Declaring lawful as unlawful, which the Qur'an forbids.
Universality of Islam
◈ Islam is a universal, timeless religion.
◈ While adopting harmful or vulgar customs of disbelievers is not allowed, adopting their useful and permissible practices is also not forbidden.
◈ Islam is neither narrow-minded nor permissive in the way atheists and naturalists have imagined.
◈ A balanced, moderate presentation of Islam is essential — avoiding both extremism and neglect.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
