Darul Uloom Trinidad & Tobago

Question:

Assalamu alaikum Respected Mufti Sahib.

Various Masjids have family days, sports days and bazaars, sometimes these are done for fund raising and sometimes just for fun and creating unity. Are these family day, sport days, bazaars etc. permissible? If not please explain why not.

Answer:

Wa Alaikum As Salaam,

There is no harm in having such activities which are meant to bring about unity and togetherness etc. However, these must all be in accordance to what Islam allows. If there are prohibited elements in any activity, then it will not be allowed. Hence, in these activities, there should be no open mixing and mingling of males and females.

They should be separate from each other. So, in the case of family days, sport days and bazaars, there must be a section/area for the males alone, and one for the females. In this case, women will also feel more comfortable with such privacy. In the case of sports and games, one’s Awrah (concealable parts of the body) must not be exposed. Therefore, if the males are involved in the game of football, they must ensure that they wear ‘shorts’ that properly cover the area from the navel to the knees.

With respect to the women also, they must dress appropriately even though they are among their own selves. They must not wear tight fitted clothing, nor thin clothing. They must not behave as the non Muslims do in the different activities they may get involved in.

With respect to bazaars etc; it is seen that sometimes ‘games of chance’ are included for fun. These should not be there. Muslims must also ensure that there is no music at such activities.

In short, once the teachings of Islam are adhered to, and these activities do not involve things that are haram, then they will be allowed.

And Allah Knows Best.

Mufti Waseem Khan.

3/4/2014