Resolution No.(136),(1/2010): “Ruling on Taking Stimulants in Sport"
Date: 25/3/1431 AH, corresponding to 11/3/2010 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.
During its first session held on the above given date, the Board reviewed the question pertaining to the ruling of Sharia on taking stimulants in sport.
After thorough studying and deliberating, the Board arrived at the following:
The general provisions of Islamic Sharia demand preserving the five necessities: religion, life, property, the mind and progeny. Therefore, taking stimulants by athletes is forbidden for the following evidences:
First: The most elevated motto in sport is straightening the body, warding off harm from it and showing its points of strength and energy. It is permissible to practice sport for recreational purposes so long as it is done within the limits prescribed in Sharia. It has been proven that the Prophet (PBUH) raced his wife Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her), wrestled with a disbeliever called Rukanah, rode horses and camels…etc.
Second: Upon considering the benefits and repercussions of taking these stimulants, we realize that they are absolutely of no use to the person taking them, as they lead to damaging his body and mind. In principle, one`s body should be strong and energetic, but once stimulants enter it they turn benefit into harm; therefore, using them contradicts with the general rules of Islamic Sharia which stipulate warding off harm.
Third: One of the rules of Sharia states that whatever is proven harmful to be forbidden as a result, and this applies to these stimulants. Provisions from the Quran and the Sunnah have clearly forbidden some substances that inflict harm on the body, the religion and the society, such as wine. Other substances were forbidden on basis of the negative repercussions resulting from taking them.
Fourth: Stimulants in sport represent an act of aggression against the divine natural disposition upon which Allah has created man; they harm his health and change the nature of his body. Allah, The Almighty, Says (What means): “I will mislead them, and I will create in them false desires; I will order them to slit the ears of cattle, and to deface the (fair) nature created by God.” {An-Nisa`/119}. Changing Allah`s Creation includes every act that leads to changing man`s image.
Fifth: Taking stimulants in sport leads to many chronic, incurable and fatal diseases, and Allah, The Almighty, Has Forbidden that a person kills himself. Whereas, He Says (what means): “O ye who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities: But let there be amongst you Traffic and trade by mutual good-will: Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily God hath been to you Most Merciful.” {At-Tawbah/119}. Also, the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever cheats, he is not one of us." {Muslim}.
Sixth: Taking simulants give the athletes who uses this kind of drugs a fake appearance and to be in shape while he is not and this is considered turning lies to facts. Since, in this regard, Allah, The Exalted Ordered us to avoid lying and deceit whereas He Said (What means): "O ye who believe! Be careful of your duty to Allah, and be with the truthful." [At-Tawbeh/119], as well as, The Prophet (PBUH) said (What means): "And he who treats us dishonestly does not belong to us.” [Related by Moslim].
Seventh: This ruling is in conformity with the international laws and regulations, which ban using such stimulants. And Allah, The Almighty Knows Best.
Chairperson of the Iftaa` Board, Grand Mufti of Jordan, Dr. Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh
Vice Chairman of the Iftaa` Board,
Dr. Ahmad Hilayel
Dr. Yahia al-Botoosh/ Member
Sheikh Sa`eid Hijjawi/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Khair al-Eesa/ Member
Judge Sari Atieh/ Member
Dr. Abdurahamn Ibbdah/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Okla/ Member
Dr. Abdunnasir Abulbasal/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member
Dr. Mohammad al-Gharaibeh/ Member