Wrestling and games in the Masjid

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah Most Merciful Most Kind

Short Answer

It is best not to allow wrestling in the Masjid prayer area. Since that will distract people who are praying or engaged in ritual worship. However, it may be permitted in other areas of the building.

Explanation

عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ: لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَوْمًا عَلَى بَابِ حُجْرَتِي وَالحَبَشَةُ يَلْعَبُونَ فِي المَسْجِدِ، وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَسْتُرُنِي بِرِدَائِهِ، أَنْظُرُ إِلَى لَعِبِهِمْ

(Sayidah) Aishah (May Allah Most High be pleased with her) said: One day I saw The Messenger of Allah ﷺ at the door of my house while some Abyssinians were playing in the Masjid. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was screening me with his garment, whilst I was observing their display. (Sahih al-Bukhari, 454).

Many people cite the above Hadith narration to prove that wrestling in the Masjid is permissible. They argue that the people of Abyssinia were allowed to carry out war manoeuvres in the Masjid. Therefore, wrestling, archery and similar activities should be permitted too.

Commentary

فِيهِ جَوَاز اللّعب بالحراب فِي الْمَسْجِد على الْوَجْه الَّذِي ذَكرْنَاهُ فِي أول الْبَاب وَحكى ابْن التِّين عَن أبي الْحسن اللَّخْمِيّ أَن اللّعب بالحراب فِي الْمَسْجِد مَنْسُوخ بِالْقُرْآنِ وَالسّنة أما الْقُرْآن فَقَوله تَعَالَى {فِي بيُوت أذن الله أَن ترفع} وَأما السّنة فِي حَدِيث وَاثِلَة بن الْأَسْقَع الَّذِي أخرجه ابْن ماجة ” جَنبُوا مَسَاجِدكُمْ صِبْيَانكُمْ وَمَجَانِينكُمْ ” ورد بِأَن الحَدِيث ضَعِيف وَلَيْسَ فِيهِ وَلَا فِي الْآيَة تَصْرِيح بِمَا ادَّعَاهُ وَلَا عرف التَّارِيخ حَتَّى يثبت النّسخ. (عمدة القاري شرح صحيح البخاري)

It contains the permissibility of playing with spears in the Masjid, in the manner we mentioned at the beginning of the chapter. Ibn al-Tin narrated from Abu al-Hasan al-Lakhmi that playing with spears in the Masjid is abrogated by the Qur’an and the Sunnah. As for the Qur’an, it is the His (the almighty’s) statement: In houses which Allah has permitted to be raised.

As for the Sunnah, the Hadith of Wathilah bin al-Asqa’, which was narrated by Ibn Majah. “Keep your children and your insane away from your Masjids.” It refuted by asserting the Hadith is weak. And neither it nor the verse explicitly states what he claimed. Nor is the date known, to prove abrogation. (Imam al-Ayni 855H, Umdatu al-Qari Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari).

In the Nass (text) above, Imam al-Ayni makes it clear that scholars differed over the permissibility of training activities in the Masjid. That is due to a claim of abrogation. However, he seemed unconvinced by this claim. Nevertheless, since there is a difference regarding the permissibility of something explicitly mentioned in Hadith then other activities, like wrestling in the Masjid, will be more controversial.

Outside the Masjid?

(فِي الْمَسْجِدِ) : أَيْ: فِي رَحَبَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْمُتَّصِلَةِ بِهِ، وَكَانَتْ تَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِمْ مِنْ بَابِ الْحُجْرَةِ وَذَلِكَ مِنْ دَاخِلِ الْمَسْجِدِ، فَقَالَتْ: فِي الْمَسْجِدِ لِاتِّصَالِ الرَّحَبَةِ أَوْ دَخَلُوا الْمَسْجِدَ لِتَضَايُقِ الْمَوْضِعِ بِهِمْ وَإِنَّمَا سُومِحُوا لِأَنَّ لَعِبَهُمْ بِالْحِرَابِ كَانَ يُعَدُّ مِنْ عُدَّةِ الْحَرْبِ مَعَ أَعْدَاءِ اللَّهِ – تَعَالَى – فَصَارَ عِبَادَةً بِالْقَصْدِ كَالرَّمْيِ قَالَ تَعَالَى جَلَّ جَلَالُهُ {وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُمْ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ مِنْ قُوَّةٍ} [الأنفال: 60]. (مرقاة المفاتيح شرح مشكاة المصابيح)

In the Masjid: That is, in the courtyard of the Masjid connected to it. She was looking at them from the door of the room, and that was from inside the Masjid. So, she said: In the mosque, because of the connection of the courtyard. Or they entered the mosque because the place was too small for them.

They were only permitted to do so because their playing with spears was considered a form of warfare against the enemies of Allah (Most High). Thus, it became an act of worship by intention, like archery. He (Exalted is His Majesty) said: And prepare against them whatever you are able of power. (Surah al-Anfal, 60). (Imam Ali al-Qari 1014H, Mirqaat al-Mafatih Sharh Mishkat al-Masabeeh).

Imam Ali al-Qari suggested that the actions of the Abyssinians were outside the Masjid. Potentially in the courtyard. Thus, alluding to such activities not being permitted in the Masjid. However, this suggestion is opposed the text of the Hadith. It seems Imam al-Bukhari believed it was in the Masjid too. His chapter heading for this Hadith was: بَابُ أَصْحَابِ الحِرَابِ فِي المَسْجِدِ (Chapter of lancers in the Masjid).

Solution

We see from the Nusoos (texts) above, that there is hesitancy amongst Hanafi scholars regarding activities like those of the Abyssinians taking place in the Masjid. There is also a concern regarding disturbing people who are engaged in ritual worship. If we extend the discussion to wrestling and archery, then the potential for damage exists too. Thus, it seems appropriate not to permit such activities in the Masjid prayer area.

Masjids should be built in such a manner that all of the complex should not be designated Masjid. Rather we should have rooms and halls that are designated for other activities. This would distance us from legal controversies and allow us to better serve the community.

Another objection

يُكْرَهُ أَشْغَالُ الدُّنْيَا فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ كَتَحْبِيلِ الْقَعَائِدِ وَالْخِيَاطَةِ وَالنِّسَاجَةِ وَالتَّعْلِيمِ إنْ كَانَ يَعْمَلُهُ بِأُجْرَةٍ وَإِنْ كَانَ بِغَيْرِ أُجْرَةٍ أَوْ يَعْمَلُهُ لِنَفْسِهِ لَا يُكْرَهُ إذَا لَمْ يَضُرَّ بِالْمَسْجِدِ وَيَجُوزُ لِلْمُعْتَكِفِ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَ وَيُرَاجِعَ. (الجوهرة النيرة)

It is disliked to engage in worldly activities in Masjids, such as interlacing chairs, sewing, weaving, and teaching, if one is paid to do so. However, if one is working without pay, or for himself, it is not disliked if it does not harm the Masjid. It is permissible for someone in seclusion (Ii’tikaf) to marry and take back a wife. (Imam al-Hadadi 800H, al-Jawhara al-Nayirah).

 

وَيُكْرَهُ كُلُّ عَمَلٍ مِنْ عَمَلِ الدُّنْيَا فِي الْمَسْجِدِ، وَلَوْ جَلَسَ الْمُعَلِّمُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ وَالْوَرَّاقُ يَكْتُبُ، فَإِنْ كَانَ الْمُعَلِّمُ يُعَلِّمُ لِلْحِسْبَةِ وَالْوَرَّاقُ يَكْتُبُ لِنَفْسِهِ فَلَا بَأْسَ بِهِ؛ لِأَنَّهُ قُرْبَةٌ، وَإِنْ كَانَ بِالْأُجْرَةِ يُكْرَهُ إلَّا أَنْ يَقَعَ لَهُمَا الضَّرُورَةُ، كَذَا فِي مُحِيطِ السَّرَخْسِيِّ. (الفتاوى الهندية)

It is disliked to do any work of the Dunya in the Masjid. If a teacher is sitting in the Masjid and the scribe is writing, then if the teacher is teaching for reward and the scribe is writing for his own benefit, then there is nothing wrong with it. Since it is an act of worship. However, if it is for a fee, it is disliked unless they are in dire need. As stated in al-Sarakhsi’s al-Muhit. (Al-Fataawa al-Hindiyah)

Another concern raised by those who oppose the idea of wrestling in the Masjid is that it is from the affairs of Dunya. And such matters are not permitted in the Masjid. This is a valid concern, and many Hanafi scholars have mentioned the prohibition of worldly matters in the Masjid. However, one may refer to the words of Imam Ali al-Qari to counter this argument. Since it can be argued that wrestling, archery and the like are part of self-defence and therefore not purely worldly activities.

وَكُلُّ عَمَلٍ مِنْ أَعْمَالِ الدُّنْيَا فِي الْمَسْجِدِ لِأَنَّهُ مَا بُنِيَ لِذَلِكَ وَلَا وُقِفَ لَهُ، قَالَ تَعَالَى: {فِي بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ اللَّهُ أَنْ تُرْفَعَ وَيُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ} [النور: 36]. (الاختيار لتعليل المختار)

And action from the actions of Dunya in the Masjid (are not permissible). Since it was not built for that purpose nor was it endowed for it. He Most High said: In houses Allah has permitted to be raised and mentioned His name in them. (Surah an-Nur, 36). (Imam Abu al-Fadl al-Mowsili 683H, al-Ikhtiyar li Ta’lil al-Mukhtar).

Conclusion

The issue of Wrestling in the Masjid or other similar activities does not seem to have been directly discussed by classical Hanafi Imams. Therefore, room for different opinions does exist. I believe the best and safest option is to hold such activities in spaces or rooms that are not designated as Masjid.

And Allah Most High Knows Best.

–Answered by Shaykh Noorud-deen Rashid (07.03.25)