In the Name of Allāh, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
The Ruling of Sponsoring, Attending, Supporting & Participating In Tournaments Affiliated With Vices
Question:
Assalamu Alaykum. Mufti Saab, I saw the fatwa regarding the prohibition of the raffle tickets. I have a follow up question regarding the tournament itself. There is a professional DJ hired to play music, including Indian music after every over, in every break between the innings, when a boundary is hit or a wicket drops. Many non-Muslims attend and there is alcohol serving. Last year they even wanted to hire cheerleaders for the finals. Many Muslims attend with their families until late hours in the night. There is a lot of intermingling of the genders. Some Muslims are also playing in the sports. Many Muslim and non-Muslim businesses are sponsoring the tournament. My question is as follows: Is it permissible to sponsor, play in, attend and/or sell at such a tournament?
Answer: الحمد الله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على رسوله الكريم
In Islām, playing sports with the intention of keeping fit, preparing for justified combat and relaxing the body and mind is permissible. Similarly, Islām allows permissible forms of recreation with the intention of relaxing one’s body, refreshing one’s mind and uplifting one’s soul. If we engage in these activities to reinvigorate ourselves for further ʿibādah (worship) and serving Allāh, then they will become acts of reward.
However, as Muslims we must remain within the boundaries of the Sharīʿah in all aspects of life.
Therefore, if the tournament contains vices like music, gambling, alcohol, indecent people and intermingling of the genders, then it is prohibited according to the Sharīʿah for any Muslim or Muslim-owned-business to sponsor such an event. There will be a severe account (hisāb) on the Day of Judgement for such spending.
Those who sponsor such events will not only be sinful for themselves but will also bear the burden of sin for every person who commits sins therein. Allāh has also likened those who waste money in this manner as brothers of Satan.
If we would like to give back to the wider Barbadian society, which is an obligation upon us, as a Muslim community, we should sponsor beneficial endeavours, such as, donating towards public health, education, building infrastructure and eradicating poverty. Coupled with being a great means of daʿwah, and earning tremendous rewards in the Hereafter, this will also allow the society to view Muslims in a good light.
Husbands and wives, mothers and fathers have the responsibility to protect themselves and their families from such filthy environments.
- They should not attend or support it in any manner.
- Muslim vendors should also avoid such places.
- Muslims should refrain from playing in such tournaments with these vices.
If the tournament is sponsored by non-Muslim businesses which perpetrate ḥarām dealings, then the ill effects of their ḥarām earnings will wreak havoc on our ʾīmān and ʾaʿmāl (actions).
May Allāh protect us as a community and save us from the severe punishments which are associated with such vile sins in this world and the Hereafter.[i]
And Allāh Taʿālā knows best
| Ibn Suleman
Dārul ʾIftāʾ wal ʾIrshād, Sirājul ʿUlūm Institute 2nd Shaʿbān 1447 20th January 2026 |
Reviewed and concurred by:
Muftī Ahmad Bhamji Muftī Mujahid Dan Lubrin Muftī Reza Deonarine Mawlānā Siraaj Bhana |
Muftī Mohammed Teladia
Mawlānā Rafeek Adam Muftī Ahmad Saeed Adam Mawlānā Shoaib Bodiyat |
REFERENCES
[i] There are many Qurʾānic verses and Prophetic ʾaḥādīth which prohibit the aforementioned sins. A few are listed below:
Prohibition of Alcohol and Gambling:
Allāh Taʿālā says: “O you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling … are repugnant acts- from the work of Satan- shun them so that you may be successful. (90) With intoxicants and gambling, Satan seeks only to incite enmity and hatred among you and to prevent you from remembering Allāh and praying (ṣalāh). Will you not then abstain?” (91) {Sūrah Al-Māʾidah}
Punishment for Music, Cheerleaders and Alcohol
The Prophet ﷺ said: “In this ʾUmmah there will be punishment by a sinking earth, deformation and raining rocks.” A Muslim asked: “O Messenger of Allāh! When is that?” He said: “When singing girls, music, and drinking intoxicants become widespread.” [Tirmidhī #2212]
The Prophet ﷺ said: “There are two categories among the people of the Fire that I have not seen: … and women who are dressed, but are naked. They will attract and be inclined. Their heads will be like the humps of camels. They will not enter Paradise nor smell its fragrance, although its fragrance can be perceived from such-and-such a distance.” [Muslim #2128]
Prohibition of Intermingling of the Genders:
Allāh Taʿālā says: “And do not even come near to zinā (adultery & fornication); verily it is indecency and an evil way.” {Al-ʾIsrāʾ: 32}
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The zinā of the eyes is looking. The zinā of the ears is listening. The zinā of the tongue is speaking. The zinā of the hand is touching. The zinā of the foot is walking. The heart fantasises and desires. The private part either affirms it or rejects it.” [Bukhārī #6612, Muslim #2658]
Punishment for Adopting Bad Company:
Allāh Taʿālā says: “And that day the wrongdoer will bite his hands, saying, ‘Oh, I wish I had taken a way with the Messenger. Oh, woe to me! I wish I had not taken so-and-so as a friend. He did indeed cause me to go astray from the Reminder after it had come to me.’” {Al-Furqān: 28-29}
Allāh Taʿālā says: “O you who have believed, do not take as intimates those other than yourselves, for they will not spare you [any] ruin. They wish you would have hardship. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater. We have certainly made clear to you the signs, if you will use reason.” {ʾĀl ʿImrān: 118}
Assisting in Sin:
Allāh Taʿālā says: “And do not assist in sin and transgression. Fear Allāh. Surely, Allāh is severe in punishment.” {Sūrah Al-Māʾidah: 2}
Bearing Sin of Others:
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever introduces an evil practice that is followed after him, will bear the burden of sin for that and the equivalent of their burden of sin, without that detracting from their burden in the slightest.” [Ibn Mājah #207]
Spendthrifts are the Brethren of Satans:
Allāh Taʿālā says: “And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveller, and do not spend wastefully. (26) Verily, spendthrifts are the brethren of satans, and Satan is ungrateful to his Lord.”
Also see: Muftī Muḥammad Shafīʿ Usmani’s ‘An-Nāhī ʿanil Malāhī’