Fatwaa ID: 1566
Question:
Assalamu Alaykum Mufti Sahib,
We are aware that boxing and hitting the face or head isn’t allowed. In some places, training is undertaken with headgear and other protection, this happens under the supervision of trained professionals.
This is only for training and not on a professional level. Is this permissible Mufti Sahib?
Answer:
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullaahi wa-barakaatuh.
Rasulullaah ﷺ said,
إذا قاتل أحدكم فليجتنب الوجه
“If one of you fights with another person, then he should avoid the face.” [Bukhaari 2559]
It is clear from this Hadith that boxing and similar sports wherein the face is hit are impermissible. This is irrespective of whether one wears headgears or not. The face is the most honorable and visible part of one’s body. The jurists however have excused one to learn boxing or similar martial arts for self-defense and training provided that appropriate measures of safety are found. This exception is not extended to leisure play.
And Allaah Ta’aala knows best.
Mufti Muajul I. Chowdhury
Darul Iftaa New York
https://askthemufti.us/
01/13/1445 AH – 07/31/2023 CE | 489, 509
وصل اللهم وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وعلى ءاله وصحبه أجمعين
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