Madrasah sports

[Digitonomy]

In a recent movie I saw, young boys at a madrasah were standing in a field. The instructor told them there were only three sports permitted in Islam: archery (I think), horse riding, and sword fighting (or maybe just stick fighting). At which point the kids started wailing on each other with sticks, having a grand time.

From searching the web a bit on this subject, it appears that this 3-sport limit is a minority view. It’s true that Muslim countries haven’t been well-represented over the years in most international sports, but I think poverty and clothing restrictions play a part in that.

1. From where did this restriction on the number of sports arise?

The websites I did find discussing sports for Muslims, mentioned that a key issue is covering the awrah (for men, between the navel and knees). However, even in relatively strict Saudi Arabia, I’ve seen pictures of men simply wearing shorts.

1. Are these athletes pushing the envelope on this rule, or do the knees and navel take up a bigger area in Arabic than English (much as “meat” has a broader meaning in English than Latin)?

 

[Pacbox]

It is a minority view and one I hadn’t heard of till your post.

Covering of men isn’t that big of an issue in regards to sports. Considering soccer/football, lacross, cricket and other sports tend to be huge in Arabic/Islamic countries (particularly ones that have had long contact with England), this seems rather odd. It may be more a morality of playing sports (games such as chess are forbidden in some Arabic countries because gambling could be involved and gambling is forbidden in Islam) so the issue of gambling may be influencing these views. Covering of women in sports is a huge issue. When women play, men are not allowed to watch since it might lead to lustful thoughts. Or they are not allowed to play sports at all.

A madrasah is an Islamic school to teach boys the Qu’ran and the Qu’ran alone. That is its main focus and anything that deviates from that is not allowed. The three they allowed may have more of a cultural and historical significance and less likelihood of leading to gambling. At least my opinion.

 

[meedo]

In a recent movie I saw, young boys at a madrasah were standing in a field. The instructor told them there were only three sports permitted in Islam: archery (I think), horse riding, and sword fighting (or maybe just stick fighting). At which point the kids started wailing on each other with sticks, having a grand time.

From searching the web a bit on this subject, it appears that this 3-sport limit is a minority view. It’s true that Muslim countries haven’t been well-represented over the years in most international sports, but I think poverty and clothing restrictions play a part in that.

1. From where did this restriction on the number of sports arise?

The websites I did find discussing sports for Muslims, mentioned that a key issue is covering the awrah (for men, between the navel and knees). However, even in relatively strict Saudi Arabia, I’ve seen pictures of men simply wearing shorts.

1. Are these athletes pushing the envelope on this rule, or do the knees and navel take up a bigger area in Arabic than English (much as “meat” has a broader meaning in English than Latin)?

There is an unauthenticated hadeeth ( Means weak in its chain of narration ) that suggests that children should learn swimming and riding horses and archery.

The hadeeth ( even though its weak ) doesnt prohibit any other sports. It only recommends the bove. However this is not a mainstream practivce. Muslims choose the sports of their favourite . In my youth i played tennis karate swimming adn volleyball.

i hope that clarifies for you

best regards

Meedo