Is playing ball permissible?

Question:
Among the characteristics of today’s youth is ball, with its various branches. We hope you will give us the ruling on it from one of two angles: if it is merely about competition, and if it is devoid of morals and involves fighting, what should be done in that case? That is, how…

Answer:
Ball is something people are passionate about today, and it has become widespread among them. It contains much harm and great sin. If ball were assigned a specific time, not during prayer times, and did not harm the players, and if the private parts were covered, and if it were free from all harm, it would not be harmful. But as long as it leads to conflict and disputes, the loss of prayers, and the exposure of private parts, its evil is great in that case, and there is no good in it. People have been afflicted by it, and it has resulted in innumerable evil, conflict, disputes, partiality toward one group over another, much contention, fighting, and so on, as well as the exposure of private parts and the loss of prayers. A person of sense should avoid it, unless it is done in a specific manner with specific companions at a specific time, far from losing prayers and exposing private parts; in that case, it may be forgiven. Yes.