What is your opinion regarding those who race pigeons and others?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : In the hadith, I do not know the extent of its authenticity, but its meaning is:
The Shaykh : By Allah, look, my brother, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1700Hasan (Darussalam) Racing means a reward, do you understand? Because these things are utilized in war and fighting, so for the sake of this benefit, the Lawgiver permitted a reward in them. So if your chicken is utilized in fighting, where you ride it and it gallops and runs, there is no harm; otherwise, there is no.
The questioner : Pigeons now have competitions held for them.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible; it is forbidden.
The questioner : Even without a reward?
The Shaykh : Whether with a reward or without a reward. As for with a reward, it is apparent because it is gambling. As for without a reward, it is because it is a distraction for a person; if he is tempted by a pigeon race, his night and day become entirely occupied with it, either in body and heart or in heart alone, so leave it.
The questioner : What about races among humans, for example?
The Shaykh : Any race among humans that has a benefit.
The questioner : What does it fall under?
The Shaykh : It is permissible without a reward, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) raced with Aisha. There is nothing wrong with that because it has a benefit for the person.
The questioner : But without a reward.
The Shaykh : Without a reward.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Perhaps you do not have pigeons? You do not race them?
There is no racing except in three things: a hoof, a blade, or a horse's hoof.
لا سبق إلا في ثلاث : خف أو نصل أو حافرThe Shaykh : By Allah, look, my brother, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
No stake is acceptable except in archery, racing a camel, and racing a horse.
لا سبق إلا في نصل أو خف أو حافرThe questioner : Pigeons now have competitions held for them.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible; it is forbidden.
The questioner : Even without a reward?
The Shaykh : Whether with a reward or without a reward. As for with a reward, it is apparent because it is gambling. As for without a reward, it is because it is a distraction for a person; if he is tempted by a pigeon race, his night and day become entirely occupied with it, either in body and heart or in heart alone, so leave it.
The questioner : What about races among humans, for example?
The Shaykh : Any race among humans that has a benefit.
The questioner : What does it fall under?
The Shaykh : It is permissible without a reward, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) raced with Aisha. There is nothing wrong with that because it has a benefit for the person.
The questioner : But without a reward.
The Shaykh : Without a reward.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Perhaps you do not have pigeons? You do not race them?