Is a Religiously Practicing Girl Allowed To Participate in School Sports?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul Samee‘ Yaquti

Question

I’m a religiously practicing girl. Is it permissible for me to participate in school sports competitions?

Answer

Praise be to Allah Most High. Blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah.

There is no legal prohibition in practicing sports activities and participating in them, whether for males or females, in schools or elsewhere. However, this is on the condition that general Sharia guidelines related to practicing sports are considered.

These guidelines ensure that this practice does not result in religious violations, that religious obligations and societal responsibilities are not neglected, that no harm or offense is caused, etc.

There are also specific sacred law guidelines related to females, such as the absence of men and cameras, especially if the sport involves movements and behaviors that are not permissible for men to see. Allah knows best.

Elaboration and Explanation

Islam encourages refreshing one’s spirit with permissible activities and participating in beneficial games and sports. This is especially so for activities that strengthen the body, develop the mind, acquire and enhance skills, invigorate the spirit, relieve hearts, and engage with the community. This is particularly important for children and young adults (both males and females).

Al-Ghazali says in his book “Ihya’ Ulum al-Din” (Revival of the Religious Sciences) highlights: “After getting up from reading books, a boy should be allowed to play a good game to relax from the fatigue of study. Forbidding him from playing and constantly tiring him with learning kills his heart, nullifies his intelligence, and diminishes his life.” [Al-Ghazali, Ihya’ ‘Ulum ad-Din Dar al-Ma‘rifa- Beirut, 3.73]

Many religious texts support this, among them:

Quranic Text

Allah says in the Quran: “Prepare against them what you ˹believers˺ can of ˹military˺ power and cavalry to deter Allah’s enemies and your enemies.” [Quran, 8:60]

Hadith Texts

Narrated by Abu Hurayra: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both.” [Muslim Dar al-Taba‘ah al-Amirah – Turkey (2664) 8.56]

A‘isha (Allah be pleased with her) narrated that she was with the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) on a journey as a young girl. He said to his companions: “Move ahead,” and they did. He told her: “Come, I will race you.” So she raced him, and she outpaced him. Later, on another journey, she again accompanied him. He said to his companions: “Move ahead.” After they had moved ahead, he said to her: “Come, let’s race.” But by that time, she had gained some weight and said: “How can I race you, O Messenger of Allah, in my current state?” He replied: “You will surely do so.” So they raced, and this time he outpaced her. He then said: “This one (victory) is for that one (previous defeat).” [al-Bayhaqi Al-Sunan al-Kubra Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut – 3rd Edition, (19758) 10.31]

The narration has been summarized and reported by al-Shafi‘i, Abu Dawud, Ibn Maja, Ibn Hibban, and others. It is narrated from A‘isha (Allah be pleased with her), who said: “I raced the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) and outpaced him. However, when I gained weight, I raced him again, and he outpaced me. He then said: ‘This one is for that one.’” [Mubarakfuri, Al-Ahwadhi bi Sharh Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah – Beirut 5.287; Abi Dawud (2579) Dar al-Risalah al-‘Alamiyyah, First Edition, 4.224]

After this vital introduction, we return to answer the question, and we say, with the guidance and help of Allah:

You are permitted to participate in competitions or sports activities your school organizes. However, it is essential to observe the general Islamic guidelines related to sports and the specific guidelines related to women, such as appropriate attire and not being in the presence of men.

General Islamic Guidelines for Permissible Sports and Games in Our Time

For further details, refer to the fatwa regarding the ruling on playing, watching, and participating in football.

No forbidden actions should accompany the sport, such as exposing the ‘awrah (private parts), unlawful mixing of genders, or uttering inappropriate words like swearing, cursing, and others which are known.

It shouldn’t lead to neglecting Islamic duties, such as obligatory prayers or societal responsibilities like work, studying, or fulfilling other obligations.

The sport shouldn’t be inherently harmful, like boxing. Nor should it cause harm or damage, whether physical or moral, to any of the players, public properties, or private properties. As the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said: “There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.” [Imam Malik, Al-Muwatta (2758) Zayed Foundation, First Edition, 4.78; al-Nawawi, Al-Arba‘in al-Nawawiyya (32)]

Avoid blind imitation. One shouldn’t unquestioningly imitate any players or participating teams in their appearance, actions, or anything else that doesn’t align with Islamic teachings.

Respect the rules of the game and uphold Islamic morals. One should always display good Islamic character during the game and accept the result, whatever it may be, whether by the players themselves or the fans.

In addition to what has previously been mentioned, below are the most essential specific guidelines for women in practicing sports.

Sport or competition participation should not occur in the presence of men or in front of cameras, especially if the sport involves movements and actions that are inappropriate for men to see.

We know that Allah Most High has forbidden women from behaving in ways that attract men’s attention or incite desires and seduction, like stamping their feet to reveal the sound ankle bracelets and the like.

Allah (Most High) says: “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to reveal their adornments except what normally appears. Let them draw their veils over their chests and not reveal their ˹hidden˺ adornments except to their husbands, their fathers, their fathers-in-law, their sons, their stepsons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons or sisters’ sons, their fellow women, those ˹bondwomen˺ in their possession, male attendants with no desire, or children who are still unaware of women’s nakedness. Let them not stomp their feet, drawing attention to their hidden adornments. Turn to Allah in repentance all together, O believers, so that you may be successful..” [Quran, 24:31]

As mentioned in the narration of Al-Bayhaqi about A‘isha, Allah be pleased with her, the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) ordered the companions to move ahead so that no men remained behind. Then, he raced with her (A‘isha) on two occasions. If these activities and competitions are specifically in girls’ schools, for example, and there is no mixing or filming, then there’s no objection, provided other Islamic guidelines are observed.

Conclusion Based on the Above

Firstly, May Allah bless your commitment to your religion and your morals. Your question is a testament to your dedication.

Secondly, there’s no harm in your participation in these sports activities and competitions if they are in a school exclusively for girls or in sports halls dedicated to them, without the presence of mixed-gender gatherings or men or cameras that men can watch. All this should be done while adhering to the other Islamic guidelines we mentioned.

Allah Most High knows best.