Resolution No.(179)(11/2012) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies: "Ruling on Giving up Fast by Sportsmen"
Date: 28/8/1433 AH, corresponding to 18/7/2012 AD.
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
On the above date, the Board reviewed the following question:
Is it permissible for sportsmen to give up fasting in order to take part in competitions?
After researching and deliberating, the Board decided what follows:
It is not permissible for sportsmen to give up fasting in order to take part in competitions because it isn’t one of the Sharia-approved excuses. Allah has said(what means): "Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting."{Al-Baqarah/185}. Since fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, it is obligatory for everyone who is competent for religious assignments and has the ability to carry them out. Therefore, such people have to reorganize their priorities to be able to observe the obligatory fast.
It is impermissible to give priority to sport events over a pillar of Islam; particularly since it is possible to hold competitions in Muslim countries after Maghrib time, or to arrive at a certain arrangement with the sport officials of the non-Muslim countries in order to make it possible for the Muslim competitors to observe obligatory fast.
If the competitor has experienced unusual hardship because he had to take part in that competition, then he is allowed to break his fast. However, that doesn`t exempt him from making the intention to fast and to actually observe the fast of each day of Ramadan from its beginning. If he experiences unusual hardship, then he is allowed to break his fast, but he should make up the missed days later.
However, if the sportsman was travelling for a long distance-more than (81km.)-then he is allowed to break his fast during the time of his travel, although it is better for him not to break his fast, since Allah, The Almighty, says(What means), " For those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew."{Al-Baqarah/184}. If he broke his fast, then he is obliged to make it up later, as indicated by the following verse: "(Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later."{Al-Baqarah/184}. And Allah knows best.
Chairman of the General Iftaa` Board, His grace the Mufti General of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh
Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member
Prof. Abdulsalam Al-Abbadi/ Member
Prof. Mohammad Al-Khwdah/Member
Prof. Abdul N`nassir Abu-Al-bas`sal/Member
Dr.Yahia Al-Boutoosh/Member
Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Az`zoubi/ Member