Can I Be A Hijabi Basketball Player?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
I have been selected to join my school’s girl’s basketball team. We have our tournament coming up. We are only versing girls, and our coach is a female. Is it permissible for me to play if there are nan mahram there?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.
Physical activity to maintain health is encouraged in Islam for men and women. Nothing is intrinsically unlawful regarding your description, though the specific circumstances would inevitably determine the permissibility of your participation in front of marriageable kin, and Allah knows best.
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The strong believer is more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, but there is goodness in both of them. Be eager for what benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not be frustrated. If something befalls you, then do not say: If only I had done something else. Rather say: Allah has decreed what he wills. Verily, the phrase ‘if only’ opens the way for the work of Satan.” [Muslim]
Specific Circumstances
May Allah bless and guide you in your endeavors. It is commendable that you are seeking to adhere to Islamic principles while participating in sports. The permissibility of playing basketball in a school tournament with non-mahram individuals present depends on several factors.
In general, Islam encourages modesty and the avoidance of unnecessary mixing between unrelated men and women. However, scholars may differ on the permissibility of such activities based on the specific circumstances and the potential for maintaining appropriate Islamic guidelines.
To provide a more accurate and personalized answer, it would be advisable to consult with a knowledgeable and qualified Islamic scholar who can consider the specific details of the situation, such as the level of modesty in your attire, the nature of the tournament, and the level of interaction with non-mahram individuals.
In the meantime, it is praiseworthy that you take precautions by wearing loose and modest clothing, including a hijab. Always strive to uphold Islamic values and seek guidance from those well-versed in Islamic jurisprudence to ensure that your actions align with the teachings of Islam. May Allah grant you success in your endeavors and guide you on the path of righteousness.
Please consult this answer as well as this related answer.
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
