Ruling on a woman watching players with exposed lower bodies
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
This is a letter received from the questioner (M. A. Q.) from al-Dar'iyyah, stating: What is the ruling on a woman watching a match, following it, loving it, and cheering for sports clubs? Is there any blame on her for looking at male players who are bare-legged? Please inform us, may Allah reward you.
Answer: Yes, she should avoid this matter; because she may be tempted by one of them; and because looking is originally prohibited. Allah the Exalted said: [Surat al-Nur: 31]. So looking at players with exposed lower bodies may lead her to temptation. Therefore, the safest course for her is to leave it. However, if they are covering their private parts and she does not fear temptation, there is no blame. It is established that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) looked at the Abyssinians playing in the mosque from behind the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). So if the play does not carry a fear of temptation from people who are covered, and it does not cause the prayer to be neglected, and no temptation occurs, there is no blame. But looking at men with exposed lower bodies involves blame and danger. It is obligatory to leave that, lest temptation occur, and because she is watching a prominent private part. And Allah is the Helper. Yes.
The presenter: Meaning, if these matches were, for example, on the radio, it would be less severe than ....?
The Shaykh: If it is on the radio, or if they are covering their private parts and there is no fear of temptation .... in looking. So looking at the general public, one does not feel temptation, so there is no blame in that ............ general.
The presenter: And being preoccupied with sports itself to the point of excess?
The Shaykh: It is obligatory that it have a limited boundary. If it occupies one from the obligatory prayer, it is forbidden. Or if it occupies one from praying in congregation with the Muslims, it is forbidden. It must be at a specific time, or the congregation must be established during the match so that the congregation is not lost. As for them losing the congregation and wasting the time, this is an abomination. They play, then disperse and leave the congregations, and the prayer is missed at its time. There is no doubt that this is an abomination. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.
Answer: Yes, she should avoid this matter; because she may be tempted by one of them; and because looking is originally prohibited. Allah the Exalted said:
And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts
وَقُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّThe presenter: Meaning, if these matches were, for example, on the radio, it would be less severe than ....?
The Shaykh: If it is on the radio, or if they are covering their private parts and there is no fear of temptation .... in looking. So looking at the general public, one does not feel temptation, so there is no blame in that ............ general.
The presenter: And being preoccupied with sports itself to the point of excess?
The Shaykh: It is obligatory that it have a limited boundary. If it occupies one from the obligatory prayer, it is forbidden. Or if it occupies one from praying in congregation with the Muslims, it is forbidden. It must be at a specific time, or the congregation must be established during the match so that the congregation is not lost. As for them losing the congregation and wasting the time, this is an abomination. They play, then disperse and leave the congregations, and the prayer is missed at its time. There is no doubt that this is an abomination. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.