What is your opinion on the ruling regarding playing ball in general, especially for those who are religious and upright?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner says: What is your opinion on the ruling regarding playing ball in general, especially for those who are religious and upright, if that does not lead to any harm? Please give us a ruling, and may Allah reward you.

Answer:
If the intention behind this is to strengthen the body, and one does sports and ball games for the sake of strengthening his body, and he does not overdo it, but only to the extent that he achieves the strengthening of his body, and it does not occupy him from performing his obligations or from seeking his livelihood, then this is permissible. It is permissible to this extent, provided the 'awrah (part of the body that must be covered) is covered, so that he is not exposing his 'awrah. This is permissible and there is nothing wrong with it. However, if he exceeds these limits, such that it becomes his profession and trade, and it occupies all his time, and he is known only as a ball player, then this is not permissible. This is because he has wasted his time, wasted his personality, wasted his benefits, and lowered himself from the status of men and the status of those with honor and dignity. He has become known as a player, called a player, and when play becomes excessive, may Allah... play is not mentioned except in a context of blame. In the Qur'an, play is not mentioned except in a context of blame. So he should leave this matter, and not make it his profession, or have all his time occupied with nothing but playing ball. This is not permissible. This dissolves the Muslim's personality, hinders his interests, and lowers his status in the eyes of people. Yes.