Fist and the Price of a Muslim’s Blood

Modern times have given rise to many forms of entertainment and competition that claim to be “sport”. Among them are boxing matches — two people hit each other until one of them falls or is even seriously injured. Some Muslims consider it a sportive game, even making it a regular spectacle. However, how does Islam actually view boxing which causes bloodshed between fellow Muslims?

Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam has been confirmed in the authentic hadith of Ibn Mas’ud May god bless you,

It is not permissible to shed the blood of a Muslim except on one of three things: a married man who commits adultery, life is paid for life, and a person who abandons his religion and separates from society.

“The blood of a Muslim is not halal except for one of three reasons: (1) a married person who commits adultery, (2) a soul for a soul (killing), (3) a person who abandons his religion and separates himself from the congregation of the Muslims.” (HR. Bukhari no. 6878, Muslim no. 1676)

This hadith is a great foundation for maintaining the honor of a Muslim’s life. The blood of a Muslim may not be shed except in three circumstances stipulated by the Shari’a — not because of power struggles, not because of sport, especially not because of worldly prestige.

The blood of a Muslim is haram

In the hajj wada’ sermon, Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said in front of his friends,

Your blood, your treasure, and your honor among you are as sacred to you as this day of yours, this month of yours, in this land of yours.

“Indeed, your blood, your property, and your honor are haram for you, just as this day (the day of Arafah), this month (Zulhijah), and this land (Mecca) are haram.” (HR. Bukhari no. 67, Muslim no. 30)

Note how the Prophet likened the honor of a Muslim’s blood to the sanctity of the city of Mecca. It was as if he said, “Just as you must not shed blood on forbidden land, so too must you not shed the blood of fellow Muslims anywhere.”

So, hurting, hitting or injuring the body of a Muslim without right is a major sin, even if it is done for the sake of “sport” or “exercise”.

Between entertainment and breaking the law

In professional boxing, two people face each other with the goal of knocking out and knocking out their opponent. Victory is determined not by intelligence, dexterity, or strategy alone, but by the ability to injure the opponent. In fact, the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. He didn’t bully her, didn’t disappoint her, didn’t lie to her, and didn’t belittle her.

“A Muslim is a brother to another Muslim. Therefore, he must not do injustice, neglect, lie and insult others.” (HR. Muslim no. 2564)

How could a Muslim who truly believes have the heart to hit his own brother in the face, even though the Prophet said,

If one of you fights with his brother, let him avoid his face.

“If one of you quarrels with his brother, let him be avoid (hit) the face.” (HR. Bukhari no. 2559 and Muslim no. 2612)

In this hadith the Prophet strictly forbids hitting the face – even in spontaneous disputes – because the face is a place of human honor. So it is even more prohibited if the beating is carried out deliberately, organized and becomes a public spectacle.

Boxing is not a legally sanctioned sport

Islam does not reject sports. Precisely the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam encouraged his people to be strong and physically trained. He says,

A strong believer is better and more loved by Allah than a weak believer.

“A strong believer is better and more loved by Allah than a weak believer.” (HR. Muslim no. 2664. See Sharh Nawawi8:260.)

However, the power that Allah loves is not power that is obtained by hurting or oppressing other people. Islam only allows sports that:

1. Train the body without damaging the limbs,
2. Don’t show private parts,
3. There is no hostility,
4. Does not contain illegal elements such as betting and abuse.

Modern boxing fails to meet all of these criteria:

1. He makes wounds and blood part of the game,
2. Showing politeness and disdain,
3. Fueling ego, hostility and ignorant pride.

Therefore, scholars such as Sheikh Muhammad bin Ibrahim Alu Sheikh [1] and Sheikh Ibn Baz Rahumihumallah [2] explains that boxing (boxing) including sports that are prohibited, because they contain elements of physical danger, violation of honor, and bloodshed without rights.

The blood of a Muslim is more noble than the world

Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

Killing a believer is greater in the sight of Allah than the disappearance of the world.

“The sin of killing a believer is greater than the destruction of the world.” (HR. The-Nasa’i, plain authentic by Sheikh Al-Albani in Ghoyah All-Mam over the Takhriage Ardiits All-Halal which is Al-Haram, NO. 439)

If killing a Muslim is a greater sin than destroying the world, then… injuring and shedding blood without right is also a big sin, although it doesn’t cause death. The clerics explain that hurting a Muslim, even just slapping him without a valid reason, is considered injustice.

Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

Insulting a Muslim is immoral, and fighting him is blasphemy.

“Reviling a Muslim is wickedness, and fighting him is kufr.” (HR. Bukhari no. 48, Muslim no. 64)

If just cursing is a big sin, then hitting and shedding his brother’s blood is certainly an even bigger sin.

The correct attitude of a Muslim

What if someone was invited to box in the ring?

A Muslim who understands his religion will answer gently but firmly, “I will not beat my brother just for entertainment. The Messenger of Allah has forbidden the blood of fellow Muslims.”

Rejecting such a challenge is not a sign of weakness, but evidence of steadfast faith and high morals. Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

A strong person is not someone who attacks, but a strong person is someone who is able to control himself when he is angry.

“It is not a strong man who is able to defeat others in wrestling, but a strong man who is able to control himself when angry.” (HR. Bukhari no. 6114, Muslim no. 2609)

True strength is not measured by punches or boxing speed, but by the ability to control oneself and restrain emotions. That is the power that Allah loves and that differentiates a true believer from an ignorant person.

Protect your brother’s blood and honor

Boxing may appear to be a sport in the eyes of humans, but in fact it contains violence and evil that is contrary to the spirit of Islam. Hurting others for the sake of prestige, entertainment, or victory only shows a lack of compassion and self-control. Islam does not glorify the hand that beats, but rather the heart that is able to restrain anger and protect the honor of its brother.

It is more noble for a Muslim to refuse the call to war and choose to protect himself and his relatives from danger. Refraining from hurting others is a sign of strong faith and maturity of the soul. People who are able to subdue their egos and reject violence are actually braver than those who win in the ring.

A Muslim’s life is about spreading mercy, not causing wounds. True strength is not in the hardness of the blow, but in the softness of the heart that maintains brotherhood. So, be a servant who maintains the blood and honor of his brother, because that is where true glory lies.

Wallahu a’lam bish-shawâb.

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Writer: Fauzan Hidayat

Article Muslim.or.id

Footnote:

[1] “Al-Mawsû’ and al-Fiqhiyah” (Encyclopedia of Fiqh / Ad-Durar as-Sunniyyah), Chapter “Chapter Eight: Boxing”

[2] Majmu’ Fatawa wa Maqâlât Mutanawwi’ah Ibn Bazmatter. 393.