Questioner:
Football matches have become numerous these days and they are aired via televisons. So what is the ruling on watching them in the absence of fanaticism and imitation (of the disbelievers), but just for recreational purposes alone?
Shaykh:
That which is apparent to us with respect to football is that it surely busies one from good and busies one from observing the (obligatory) prayers in congregation,
And that which is proper is to leave it
If it were to be conserved and it was (played/aired) within short periods of time and with covering the ’awrāt (the parts of the body that must be concealed) and safeguarding the ’awrāt and with observing the (obligatory) prayers. If this was accurately (put in place), the affair would have been easier.
However, with what we witness amongst the people in terms of being occupied with it and (causing) strife with it and neglecting the prayers, from the viewers and the players,
That which we believe in is that this action is prohibited and forbidden and engaging in it is not permissible at all – not in these lands and in other than it from the Muslims because this action of theirs will lead them to a great evil.
They have busied the people with the radio, they have busied them with the television and they made them busy in many periods and they neglected the prayers.
And many of them wear clothes that exposes his ’awrah, it exposes his thighs, putting the people to trial by way of it. And all of these are from the forbidden acts that are unjustifiable.
The reality is that the football that people play today, it’s evil is very great and it’s good is non-existent. And if there is any good in it, it is very small i.e from the viewpoint of activeness and renewal of strength
Obscured indeed is this small good in relation to the numerous evil.
So, that which we believe in today is that, doing so is prohibited and forbidden except if it’s people (i.e the players) stick to; covering (their ’awrāt) and time management and observing the prayers at it’s prescribed time.
And it’s playing should be in a specific limited time which will not be exceeded to the extent that they will end up missing the prayers due to it. (This applies to) the viewers and the players and everyone in general. This is the reality. We ask Allāh for safety.
Questioner:
O Shaykh, they uncover their nakedness seriously.
Shaykh:
May Allāh guide them. May Allāh return them to what is correct.
Qestioner:
Do you write to them O Shaykh, or…?
Shaykh:
Allāh’s aid is sought. How many has been written and how many has been written? Allah’s aid is sought. Don’t think about the issue that way. Means have been exerted on it. Nonetheless, we ask Allāh to grant us and them guidance.
