Islamic view of dangerous and expensive sports
12-3-2001 | IslamWeb
Question:
What is Islamic rule about a Muslim taking part in some dangerous sports like parachute, jumping, mountain climbing, etc. What about sports like football which costs a lot of money to build the stadium, to buy football equipment? What is Islam's view of these sports which costs a lot of money?
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
The rule of participating in dangerous games such as parachuting, mountaineering, high jumping, etc., depends on many facts. Among them are:
1. The purpose of participating in those games, is it to strengthen one's body and prepare oneself for Jihad for the sake of Allah, or only to gain material benefits, or to get good reputation, or just for amusement or even to imitate Kuffars and achieve other objectives?
2. Do these games cause any harm to the entire body of the participant, or to any part of his body? Is it assumed that they might cause physical impairment or even the death of the participant?
3. Do these games cause someone to miss prayers, or to forget the remembrance of Allah, or other obligations of Sharia?
According to what is mentioned above we issue the following Fatwa:
If the above mentioned games are being practiced for a good purpose such as to strengthen ones body or to make Jihad, and if there is no danger to the bodies or the souls of the participants because of these games and if they do not divert them from prayers or accomplishing other Islamic obligations and if these games do not raise enmity or ill-feelings amongst the participants. If all these conditions are met then participating in those games is permissible.
On the other hand know, that spending a lot of money on these games or others is forbidden. Spending money beyond moderation would be considered wasting it; and wasting money is not permissible in Sharia. Spending much money on building stadiums, buying sport goods, sports dress is not permissible.
Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift.} [Quran 17:26].
Imam Ibn Katheer 
said: 'When Allah Ordered to spend money at the same time He hindered wasting money'. Allah Says in another Ayah (interpretation of meaning): {And those, who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly,} [Quran 25:67]. He also says: {Verily, spendthrifts are brothers of the Shayatîn (devils),} [Quran 17:27]
Imam Qatadah said: “Any money which is spent in disobedience of Allah is wasted money”.
The Prophet said: “Eat, drink, give charity and wear clothes so long as neither prodigality nor pride is mixed up with it”. Al-Tirmizi, Ahmad, Nasaai and Ibn Majah 
transmitted it. So, a Muslim should adhere to the Sharia and should avoid wasting money. Imam Muslim narrated from Abu Hurairah 
that the Prophet said: “Allah is pleased with three things from you, and He is angry with three things from you. He is pleased that you worship Him and do not associate anything with Him, and that you take hold of the rope of Allah altogether, and that you give good counsel to the one to whom Allah gives command over you. He is angry with you for gossip, squandering property, and asking too many questions.”
Finally, from the above details if any sport meets the above conditions spending on it is permissible with two conditions.
One, the expenses should not turn into extravagance.
Second, it should not be to the neglect of other priorities where spending of wealth is an obligation or desirable, since there would be a great loss to the Ummah if one ignores spending wealth in the required areas.
Allah knows best.