What is the ruling on bullfighting, and the money taken by the owner of the winning bull?
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The questioner : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
His EminenceThe Shaykh : In some countries, bullfights are held on occasions and in gatherings, and the owner of the winning bull receives a sum of money. The question here is: Is there any religious prohibition in this act? And is there any religious prohibition in the money taken by the owner of the bull?
The Shaykh : If the bullfighting causes harm to the bull and pain for it, then it is forbidden, because it is not permissible for us to cause pain to an animal or to make it suffer. If it does not cause pain, then 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 prize, then it is forbidden in all cases.
So now, bullfighting, if it harms the bulls, is it?
The student: It is forbidden.
The Shaykh : Or for a prize? Then it is forbidden. If it is for a prize, it is forbidden; or if it harms the bulls and causes them pain, it is forbidden. If it is not so, then 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 spend long periods watching it on television: we tell them that time is too precious to be spent on this play which has no good in it.
His EminenceThe Shaykh : In some countries, bullfights are held on occasions and in gatherings, and the owner of the winning bull receives a sum of money. The question here is: Is there any religious prohibition in this act? And is there any religious prohibition in the money taken by the owner of the bull?
The Shaykh : If the bullfighting causes harm to the bull and pain for it, then it is forbidden, because it is not permissible for us to cause pain to an animal or to make it suffer. If it does not cause pain, then 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 prize, then it is forbidden in all cases.
So now, bullfighting, if it harms the bulls, is it?
The student: It is forbidden.
The Shaykh : Or for a prize? Then it is forbidden. If it is for a prize, it is forbidden; or if it harms the bulls and causes them pain, it is forbidden. If it is not so, then 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 spend long periods watching it on television: we tell them that time is too precious to be spent on this play which has no good in it.