Becoming a Professional Boxer

Question:

In my previous job i have had a very hard time performing my salah on time despite trying very hard to perform my salah on time, there were times i missed my salah. Even looking into other jobs i find i will have the same problem and miss some salah. Based on this I would like to know if it would be permissible to become a pro boxing so i wouldn’t miss my salah. I would also like to know what would happen if i end up dying in the ring or my oppenent dies in the ring accidentally, would Allah punish me for this? I would only adopt this sport so i can perform my salah on time. If you can please answer it would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Your attitude towards performing ṣalāh timeously is encouraging. We make du‘ā’ Allah grants you a flexible means of income in which you can perform your ṣalāh on time, āmīn.

It is not permissible to adopt boxing as a means of income as boxing is not permissible.

Consider the following Aḥādīth of Rasūlullāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam):

 عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: وفي حديث ابن حاتم، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: إذا قاتل أحدكم أخاه، فليجتنب الوجه، فإن الله خلق آدم على صورته.

Abū Hurayrah (raḍiyallāhu ‘anhu) has narrated that Rasūlullāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, “If somebody fights (or beats somebody) then he should avoid the face.” [1]

عن أَبي سعيد الخدرِي رضِي الله عنه، أَن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلَّم قال: لا ضرر ولا ضرار، من ضار ضاره الله، ومن شاق شاق الله عليْه.

“An individual should not harm others or be harmed by others in return.” [2]

It is clear from the above that it is not permissible for you to choose boxing as a career. However, if one learns boxing merely to stay fit and to defend oneself, this will be permissible with the condition referred to in the Ḥadīth, i.e. avoid hitting the face.

And Allah knows best

(Mufti) Bilal al-Mahmudi

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai


[1]  Saḥīḥ al-Bukhārī

[2] Al-Mustadrak li l-Ḥākim

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IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ FIRST
  • The ruling given is based specifically on the question posed and should only be read in conjunction with that question.
  • Due to the number of queries received, please allow a minimum of 7 days for your question to be answered.
  • If two questions are asked at once or the question requires a detailed research, please allow up to three or four weeks for your question to be answered. Urgent queries will be given priority.
  • Kindly do not submit more than three questions at once.
  • If you do not receive a response within 10 days, kindly resubmit your query.
  • Our responses may reach your junk folder and not your inbox. Be sure to check your junk folder before resubmitting your query.
  • Note: Not all answers are published on the site. All efforts are made to conceal the questioner’s identity. Please note that we do not answer social queries or dream interpretation questions.