Q: I have some question related to cricket, professional cricket and earning from it whether it is halaal or haraam.
1. Today, league cricket is going on all over the world, these countries are non-Muslim countries, so sponsors, advertisements, etc. are not according to Islamic Sharia. My question is that these team owners take money from sponsors, advertisements, etc. Is the money they are getting from there forbidden according to Islamic Sharia? All Muslim players are aware of how the money is coming and it is illegal, yet the salaries they are getting or the contract with the team owners is also haraam or not?
2. In Pakistan and India also the team owners get sponsorship from betting companies and with this money they pay the salaries of the players and staff members so as a Muslim we should not play league cricket according to Islamic Sharia? Players who are receiving salaries or contracts with team owners is also forbidden or not?
3.Pakistan and India cricket board receives budget from the government but also contracts with sponsors and advertisements which is forbidden according to Islamic Shariah, with this money they pay the salaries of players and staff, so with this money taking a salary is also forbidden for players or not? ICC (International Cricket Council) also gives money to all cricket boards and since ICC is not following Islamic Shari'ah, so money from ICC is also haraam or not?
4.Under these circumstances, can a Muslim play professional cricket or not?
5. The player proudly says that we are playing for our nation and the fans also support him as a national hero, so what does Islam say about nationalism?
A: In the words of the Quraan Shareef, this is lahw and la`ib. Muhaddith Abdul Haq Dehlawi (rahmatullahi alaih) says that all types of lahw and la`ib are impermissible and incorrect. However, three things are counted as exceptions, archery, racing on foot or on a mount purely for jihaad reasons, and gaining pleasure from the wife.
It is overlooked if little children are engaging in these types of games. However, it becomes disgusting if adults are engaged in them and hours and days are spent in this type of vain and useless activities, and it is counted as something very important, so much so that their salaah is moved away from the musjid to the sports grounds. This is really deplorable. This is apart from the sins that take place in the sports, amongst the players and on the grounds. It is highly recommended to recite the dua:
اللّهُـمَّ أَرِنَا الْحَقَّ حَقًّا وَارْزُقْنَا اتِّبَاعَه وَأَرِنَا الْبَاطِلَ بَاطِلًا وَّارْزُقْنَا اجْتِنَابَه
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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