Playing in the mosque
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Fatwa No. ( 4672 )
Q: In (Sahih al-Bukhari) , a discussion arose among some of my school colleagues regarding the hadith of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) in the chapter (The Companions of Spears in the Mosque), page 171, volume (1), and the text of the hadith is:
Sahih al-Bukhari 454, 455 . The question is about the permissibility of playing in the mosque: is it permissible, and how can this hadith be interpreted?
A: These Ethiopians (may Allah be pleased with them) were playing with spears in the mosque on the day of the festival, training themselves and drilling them in the acts of war in preparation for jihad against the disbelievers. There is no doubt that this act is a good deed; because jihad in the path of Allah, preparing for it with its equipment, and training oneself to use it, in order to benefit from it when the call to jihad is made - there is no doubt that this is among the obligations of Islam. However, it was called "play" because of its resemblance to play, as the trainee intends to thrust and does so, and he simulates it with his spear, even if the target were his closest relative, such as his father or his son. By this, it becomes clear that there is no harm in doing it in the mosque, especially on the day of the festival; because it is a day of joy and happiness, as it is an act of drawing near to Allah and a good deed in its reality, even if it is play in its appearance. As for pure play in its reality and appearance, it is idle amusement that is not permissible to do, nor to train for, nor to approve of, nor to watch, especially from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). Its counterpart is the permissibility of racing with horses, camels, and arrows, and training for that in preparation for jihad in the path of Allah,
and taking hold of the means of strength, and establishing the Islamic state and supporting the religion of Islam. It is prescribed in its appropriate place, and it is not among the forbidden idle amusement. All of this falls under the saying of Allah, the Exalted:[Al-Anfal 8:60] . And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: In (Sahih al-Bukhari) , a discussion arose among some of my school colleagues regarding the hadith of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) in the chapter (The Companions of Spears in the Mosque), page 171, volume (1), and the text of the hadith is:
Once I saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) at the door of my house while some Ethiopians were playing in the mosque (displaying their skill with spears). Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was screening me with his Rida' so as to enable me to see their display.
لقد رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على باب حجرتي والحبشة يلعبون في المسجد ورسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يسترني بردائه أنظر إلى لعبهمA: These Ethiopians (may Allah be pleased with them) were playing with spears in the mosque on the day of the festival, training themselves and drilling them in the acts of war in preparation for jihad against the disbelievers. There is no doubt that this act is a good deed; because jihad in the path of Allah, preparing for it with its equipment, and training oneself to use it, in order to benefit from it when the call to jihad is made - there is no doubt that this is among the obligations of Islam. However, it was called "play" because of its resemblance to play, as the trainee intends to thrust and does so, and he simulates it with his spear, even if the target were his closest relative, such as his father or his son. By this, it becomes clear that there is no harm in doing it in the mosque, especially on the day of the festival; because it is a day of joy and happiness, as it is an act of drawing near to Allah and a good deed in its reality, even if it is play in its appearance. As for pure play in its reality and appearance, it is idle amusement that is not permissible to do, nor to train for, nor to approve of, nor to watch, especially from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). Its counterpart is the permissibility of racing with horses, camels, and arrows, and training for that in preparation for jihad in the path of Allah,
and taking hold of the means of strength, and establishing the Islamic state and supporting the religion of Islam. It is prescribed in its appropriate place, and it is not among the forbidden idle amusement. All of this falls under the saying of Allah, the Exalted:
And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war
وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُمْ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ مِنْ قُوَّةٍ وَمِنْ رِبَاطِ الْخَيْلِ
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.