Need advice from brothers/sisters

[Hasan_Ali_Imam]

Assalamu Alaikum,

I would be grateful if some brothers and especially sisters could help me on this.

I have a friend in the USA who says that she believes in Islam in her heart and finds more commonality with it than with Christianity. She said that she would convert one day, but had a few issues. One of them was two women witnesses...and that has been answered as I advised her to access a website, http://www.irf.net which is the Islamic Research Foundation based in India, and has answers to these questions. Where I need your help is on her issue with regards to women and sports. She said that she enjoys running and likes to compete in sports but she knows she won't be able to do this when she is a Muslim and she really enjoys these activities. As far as I know women are encouraged to be healthy and take part in activities but under and Islamic code. I am aware that Aisha (RA) used to have races with the Prophet(S). Would a woman be able to take part in running under Islamic guidelines (if there is such a thing) or does she have to give it up?

I have asked this question to a knowledgegble person and I am waiting for his reply. In the mean time I thought I would throw this to the floor and get your advice and thoughts on it.

Thanks.
Wassalam
Hasan

[yasmin]

Excellent question and I hope that she gets all her answers from this

Muslim Women in Sport
By Sister Hikmat Beiruty

The benefits derived from sport can not be denied. Not only do they have physical and social benefits, but also essential psychological consequences. Since sport is also a compulsory part of the curriculum in all schools, it is important to address the many Islamic conflicts that us sisters may face.


The Need for Sport

Men and women alike are in need of sport and exercise. Physical fitness is certainly encouraged, just as a balanced diet is endorsed, and harmful substances are prohibited. Exercise is also conducive to a more balanced emotional state, as it aids in the release of harmful free radicals and excess hormones. Mundane routines must also be broken otherwise it could affect a women's input into society, as well as her relationship with her husband and family.

The Sahaabah were aware of these issues, and would exhort others for the same. 'Ali bin Abi Talib (r.a.a) said: "Refresh your minds from time to time, for a tired mind becomes blind." Abu Darda` (r.a.a) also commented: "I entertain my heart with something trivial in order to make it stronger in the service of the Truth."

The Prophet (s.a.w) advised his followers to engage in many forms of sport, which even today are considered of the best form of exercise. The Prophet (s.a.w) himself would engage in wrestling, racing, archery and horse races.

While Aisha (r.a.a) was on a journey along with the Apostle of Allah (s.a.w), she had a race with him and outpaced him. As time passed, the Prophet (s.a.w) wished to avenge for his loss, so he raced her again, in which case he outpaced her, and remarked: "This is for that outpacing."


The Etiquette's of Sport

The restrictions on women participating in sport or physical activity is more than that of men. All Islamic observances must be followed, regardless of any school policies or social stigmas. Our obedience to our Creator cannot be given preference to a creature of Allah.

When participating in sports, the clothing must be Islamically acceptable. This would therefore exclude shorts, t-shirts, leotards, swimming costumes etc.

It is very important to ensure that there are no males watching. Mixing of sexes is forbidden in normal situations, except in special situations under certain conditions, let alone in a sporting arena or exercise facility. It also restricts your activities, and modesty would not allow this in any case.


Swimming

In most female-only schools, there are always male teachers around. Hence wearing even body suits is not sufficient, therefore to remove yourself from this activity is the only solution. There are some female-only baths or swimming complexes, yet even this is not suitable for the purposes of Muslim women. The following tradition treats this point:

"Some women from Homs or from Sham (now the area of Damascus) came to 'A'ishah. She asked, 'Do you enter the public baths? I heard the Messenger of Allah saying that a woman who undresses anywhere else other than in her own house tears off the Satr (shelter) which lies between her and her Lord .' " [At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud]

It is not only a problem of Satr, but also revealing yourself to disbelievers, an important point which sisters are ignoranor careless of. Permission for a Muslim woman to reveal her hair, arms etc. is permitted to her husband, father, mother and so on.

Non-Muslim women are excluded from this permission, because contact with them might easily lead to disastrous results. That is why the Khalif 'Umar wrote to Abu 'Ubaidah Ibn al-Jarrah, the Governor ofSyria, to prohibit the Muslim women from going to the baths with the women of the Ahl al-Kitab (the People of the Book). [At-Tabari, Ibn Jazir]. According to Ibn 'Abbas "...a Muslim woman is not allowed to display herself before the women of the unbelievers and non-Muslim poll-tax payers (Ahl al-Dhimmah) any more than she can display herself before other men" [At-Tabari].

This distinction between women on grounds of character and religion is intended to safeguard Muslim women against the influence of women whose moral and cultural background is either not known or is objectionable from the Islamic point of view.

Gyms

Although many women-only gyms have become popular, we have the same problem as with baths, that being in the presence of non-Muslim women. However, as long as loose clothing is worn along with proper head covering, this problem can be avoided.


Self-Defence

Particularly in Western countries, this is an important form of popular exercise. Sisters must be careful to train only with other women, to maintain loose clothing and head cover, and not to attack at the head, as the Prophet (s.a.w) has forbidden us to hit on the face while training.

Other Points

Sports and exercise should be judged according to the level of modesty involved. Games such as netball played in a public arena is not befitting to the honour of a Muslimah. No compromises can be made in terms of clothing or mixing. Public showers at female schools is totally forbidden. Many sisters will also apply deodorants after a work-out. What must be kept in mind is the Prophet's warning on a fragrant perfumes: "The woman who perfumes herself and passes through a gathering is an adulteress." Some fragrant-free deodorants are available, otherwise apply enough so that the fragrance is not apparent.

A married woman must also have the permission of her husband beforehand, and must ensure that non of her duties as a wife are being sacrificed as a result of her activities.

To keep in line with today's excessive and unwarranted demands for women to have a "supermodel" physique, many sisters will exercise for this sole purpose, only adding more stress and anguish to themselves. Keep it as a fun activity, involve your husband with it and make it an intimate part of your marriage life. Keep in mind that over-exercising can result in unrepairable tissue damage, and will turn you off it. Bodily exhaustion is not called for, as Allah (s.w.t) tells us: "Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope." [2: 286] .

I will post some useful websites for her by muslim sisters.

[Abdur_Rahman]

From what I know, sports is encouraged in Islam however there are some parcticle hinderence to this particularly for women.
Islamic law say that a women has to be covered up i.e. keep her figure and shape of the body covered including the hair,and the general rule is that a women can not mix with men except those who are halal e.g. husband, if she wants to run then she has to do so with other women or on her own where no other men can see her except those who are halal for her, she can i suppose run with her purda on but that might not be so easy!
I am not aware fo Ayesha running with the Propeht (PBUH) can you please give the reference and the circumstances around it?
I 'll ask some one for an expert answer to these questions, but on a general note a person who is interested in Islam and wants to be a muslims should first ask themselves whether their interest is coming from their heart and open hearted investigation into it and hten perhaps htye will be in a betetr positioon to accept the rules and regulations associated it.
There are things that we like but are not good for us and things that are good for us but we dont like them as the quran says. So our acceptance of Islam must come form our heart and wisdom.

[mhnew]

Salam,

If she understands Islam, she should accept it. And can then explore the Sports issue. As far as I know, girls are allowed to play if they are Islamically attired. There are female basketball players around. Iran had an Islamic games for Women. The aspect of other men being present is to be explored and knowledgable scholars should be asked. I have friends whose sisters are playing field hockey and so on.

Allah Hafez

[Hasan_Ali_Imam]

Assalamu Alaikum.

Sister Yasmin,
Thank you ever so much for your useful article. Inshallah I will collect some responses and email them to the American friend.

Brs. Abdur Rahman and Br. mhnew thanks for your comments and opinions, I appreciate it.

Wassalam.
Hasan

[sylhet]

Salam


Ahem ahem br’s…do u mind….. u ppl probably missed this bit (‘especially sisters could help me on this.’)

Anyway just kidding……..

Contribution whoever interested on Islam…… it will pretty sad if someone ‘d want to abundant the truth just cos of something she cant give up etc…..
Becoming a Muslim does not mean u became a perfect person with no sin whats so ever…..
As for sports (i am not sure abt the rulling of sports )….. it should not stop one from accepting Islam….since it is not condition for becoming Muslim that a person should know the entire religion and practise every single thing of religion.

One can become a Muslim and then learn the religion and develop full conviction about all the rulings of Islam. At the beginning, it is sufficient to believe in the six pillars of faith and to understand and accept in general terms the five pillars Of Islam.

And also important to realize that knowledge and conviction develop gradually, and that faith increases by doing acts of worship and obedience to Allaah, which in turn leads to a deeper understanding and acceptance of the rulings of Islam.

And lastly and most importantly I ‘d also say that if any woman were to ask whether she should become Muslim despite not wearing hijab ( or playing on olympic games) or stay a kaafir, the advise would definitely be to become Muslim, because the seriousness and danger of remaining a kaafir is far worse than being a Muslim but committing a sin.

I am not saying its better to become a Muslim so that one can commit sin …what I am saying that its less worse (important distinction here)to become Muslim even though may not necessarily giving up sin initially rather than remain nonmuslim………

Allah knows the best……..


I would recommended to visit this website regarding questions and answer:
http://216.205.122.233/index.php?ln=...ffset=0&sort=d

and these for new muslims
http://www.beconvienced.com
http://www.mosque.com


BTW I would like to leave this open to criticism…. Please do correct me if I said something wrong here………

[Hasan_Ali_Imam]

sr. sylhet

assalamu alaikum.

Thanks for the good advice. Thanks also for the links. Before I recommend the Q&A site to the non-Muslim friend, can you tell me who the imam or the sheikh is who gives the responses?

Wassalam
Hasan