Taking up mixed martial arts or boxing as a profession
Q: Is it permissible for me to take up a profession in mixed martial arts or in boxing?
A: A Mu'min has been created for higher objectives and greater goals. His endeavour should constantly be aimed towards earning the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala and the rewards of the hereafter. He should not while away his time in amusement and vain activity emulating the ways of the kuffaar. While it is permissible for one to sufficiently equip himself against danger or some hostile situation (on condition the training course conforms to Shari'ah), the primary purpose for such training is so that it may serve as a protection for oneself, one's family, property and one's Deen.
Generally, in these types of pursuits, such as mixed martial arts competitions, wrestling matches, boxing tournaments etc., the laws of Shari’ah are violated and one’s Deen is compromised. Some of the impermissible things associated with these types of professions or sport is that the clothing which one is required to wear is impermissible as part of the satar is exposed, the sport is televised and the laws of hijaab are violated as there is intermingling between men and women. Apart from this, there is a host of other impermissible things associated with it. On account of the abundant wrongs associated with this type of sport, we do not advise that one pursue this as this will only be a means of earning the displeasure of Allah Ta'ala and the punishment of the Hereafter.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ عَبَثًا وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا تُرْجَعُونَ ﴿المؤمنون: ١١٥﴾
عن عطاء بن أبي رباح قال رأيت جابر بن عبد الله وجابر بن عمير الأنصاريين يرميان قال فأما أحدهما فجلس فقال له صاحبه أكسلت قال نعم فقال أحدهما للآخر أما سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول كل شيء ليس من ذكر الله فهو لعب لا يكون أربعة ملاعبة الرجل امرأته وتأديب الرجل فرسه ومشي الرجل بين الغرضين وتعلم الرجل السباحة (السنن الكبرى للنسائي، الرقم: 9086)
عن عبد الرحمن بن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه عن أبيه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال لا ينظر الرجل إلى عورة الرجل ولا المرأة إلى عورة المرأة ولا يفضي الرجل إلى الرجل في ثوب واحد ولا تفضي المرأة إلى المرأة في الثوب الواحد (صحيح مسلم، الرقم: 338)
عن علي رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال لا تبرز فخذك ولا تنظرن إلى فخذ حي ولا ميت (سنن أبي داود، الرقم: 3140)
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