Question Summary:
Is body building by means of gym allowed in Islam

Question Detail:

 
Is body building by means of gym allowed in Islam. I want to join gym bacause of abdomnal distension problem. Please guide me wether I should join gym to control my abdominal distension. Intention to join gym is only to get rid of abdominal distension andnot to build body.

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
 
It is permissible to do bodybuilding for abdominal related problems as well as to build the body. Bodybuilding is a means of remaining fit and strong which is encouraged in Islam. It is mentioned in a Hadith:
 
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: الْمُؤْمِنُ الْقَوِيُّ، خَيْرٌ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى اللهِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِ الضَّعِيفِ، وَفِي كُلٍّ خَيْرٌ  (صحيح مسلم ،حديث رقم ٢٦٦٤، كتاب القدر)
Translation: A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone.
Also, consider the following verse:
قَالَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا يَا أَبَتِ اسْتَأْجِرْهُ إِنَّ خَيْرَ مَنِ اسْتَأْجَرْتَ الْقَوِيُّ الْأَمِينُ (سورة القصص، ٢٦)
Translation: One of the women said, "O my father, hire him. Indeed, the best one you can hire is the strong and the trustworthy."
Shu’aib (Alaihisalaam) hired Musa (Alaihisalaam) and gave him one of his daughters in marriage. This was due to the fact that he was strong and honourable.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Saleem Khan
Student Darul Iftaa
Bradford, UK
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net