Bodybuilding is a form of physical exercise and body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy.
An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder.
Muscle hypertrophy is an increase in the size of a muscle through an increase in the size of its component cells.
Bodybuilding aims to make the body strong and sound, which is an important and desirable goal.
Islam is concerned with man’s well-being in both body and
soul, and it encourages all kinds of sport that will strengthen the body and
maintain good health as well as providing relaxation and leisure, such as
swimming, shooting, horse-riding, sword-fighting and wrestling.
But when Islam accepts sports and encourages us to engage in
them, it does not make them a goal in and of themselves, rather sport is
considered to be a means of protecting the sacred limits of Islam and the
dignity and rights of the Muslims, in the belief that strength is one of the
most important means of achieving victory and prevailing in the face of
challenges and warding off the threats that face Islam.
If the purpose of sport is to prepare the body to be fit to
carry out the duty of jihad so as to make the word of Allaah supreme, then
sport is essential. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And make ready against them all you can of power,
including steeds of war…” [al-Anfaal 8:60]
And the Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The strong
believer is better and more beloved to Allaah than the weak believer.”
Narrated by Muslim, 6774.
If the aim is relaxation and maintaining good health, then
sport is permissible. If it involves something haraam, such as missing
prayers, uncovering any part of the ‘awrah or mixing with women and so on,
then it is haraam.
Those who engage in bodybuilding uncover their ‘awrah when
practicing this sport, which is undoubtedly haraam. The ‘awrah of a man
extends from the navel to the knee, and it is not permissible for him to
uncover it in front of anyone other than his wife. It is also not
permissible for him to look at the ‘awrah of anyone else.
If the sport is free of these haraam things, then there is
nothing wrong with engaging in it.
But two points should be noted:
-1-
Some of those who engage in this sport are motivated by
self-admiration and love of pride and showing off before others because of
their beautiful bodies and strong muscles… and other bad motives, some of
which are worse than others. The believer should shun such things and seek
the adornment of good attitude, humility and fairness.
Body Building Gone Wrong
-2-
Going to extremes in making the body look good and being
concerned with that is not a good thing. What is good in this regard is that
which helps the Muslim to maintain good health, to practise Islam, to engage
in jihad for the sake of Allaah and to do the acts of worship which require
physical strength such as Hajj.
But doing more than that and going to extremes usually
distracts the Muslim from doing things that are more important, as happens
in the case of those who practise many kinds of sports nowadays, so you see
them training for many hours each day.
What benefit can a Muslim gain if his body is as strong as a bull, but his heart is devoid of faith and all virtue?
We ask Allaah to help us to do that which is good for us and
will bring us happiness in this world and in the Hereafter.
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