Question Summary:
Supporting Sport stars and calling each other their names

Question Detail:

As-salaamu `alaykum wa-ramatullahi wa-barakatuh.

Answer :

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

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

May Allah reward you for your concern for our fellow muslim colleges.

Allah Ta’aala says,

وَذَكِّرْ فَإِنَّ الذِّكْرَى تَنْفَعُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Do, however, keep advising; for advising benefits those endowed with faith. [Quran 5155]

The harms and evil consequences of watching matches are clear.

The following attached fatwa highlights the evils in detail.

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

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

In today’s society, following professional sports and supporting a team has become an obsession and craze. For the vast majority of people, it has become a vital element of life.

In terms of Sharīah, there are many evils associated with following professional sports. The harms are exemplified to a greater degree when one passionately supports a particular team.  Some of the evils are listed below:

حُبُّكَ الشَّيْءَ يُعْمِي وَيُصِمُّ  (سنن ابى داود، بَابٌ فِي الْهَوَى) 

The love of something blinds and deafens the lover. (Sunan Abī Dāwūd)

This is extremely detrimental and destructive to one’s Dīn. Many a times, the love of one’s team takes him away from performing Salāh and going to the Masjid, especially when one is engrossed in watching a live match. 

Hence, due to the above-mentioned reasons, it is not allowed for one to support a professional team.

In conclusion, a Muslim is one who develops the love of Allāh within his heart. His living and dying is only for Allāh. He does not waste his time and life in insignificant pursuits such as following professional sports and supporting a team. 

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Abdul Azīm bin Abdur Rahman,
Student Darul Iftaa
U.S.A.

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

You should apply wisdom and diplomacy in taking your friends in your confidence an offering them advice and forwarding them the attached fatwa.

The argument presented by the students to keep themselves fit and healthy is incorrect.

There are many acceptable ways to keep oneself fit and healthy.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Muhammed Al-Ameen Bin Moulana Ismail Akoo

Student Darul Iftaa

Newcastle; KZN, South Africa

Checked and Approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.