The Ruling on Bullfighting
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In some countries, bullfights are held on occasions with a large gathering of people, and the owner of the winning bull receives a sum of money. Is there any religious prohibition in this practice? And is the money the bull’s owner receives permissible for him to take?
If there is harm to the bull in the fighting, it is forbidden; because it is not permissible for us to harm an animal or to cause it distress. If there is no pain involved, it is mere play and amusement with no good in it and no benefit, and it is a waste of time. Buying bulls for the sake of this fighting is a waste of money. As for if the fighting is for a reward, it is forbidden in all cases.
So the ruling on bullfighting is now: If it harms the bulls, it is forbidden, or if it is for a reward, it is forbidden. If it is not so, it is a waste of time and a waste of money, so it does not befit a person of sound mind to do it. We also advise our brothers who are fond of this fighting and waste long hours watching it on television; we say to them: Time is too precious to be spent on this nonsense that has no good in it.
If there is harm to the bull in the fighting, it is forbidden; because it is not permissible for us to harm an animal or to cause it distress. If there is no pain involved, it is mere play and amusement with no good in it and no benefit, and it is a waste of time. Buying bulls for the sake of this fighting is a waste of money. As for if the fighting is for a reward, it is forbidden in all cases.
So the ruling on bullfighting is now: If it harms the bulls, it is forbidden, or if it is for a reward, it is forbidden. If it is not so, it is a waste of time and a waste of money, so it does not befit a person of sound mind to do it. We also advise our brothers who are fond of this fighting and waste long hours watching it on television; we say to them: Time is too precious to be spent on this nonsense that has no good in it.