Question

Assalamu Alaykum Mufti Sahib,

We are aware that boxing and hitting the face or head isn’t allowed. In some places, training is undertaken with headgear and other protection, this happens under the supervision of trained professionals.

This is only for training and not on a professional level. Is this permissible Mufti Sahib?

Answer

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited striking anyone on the face, whether for recreation or with the intent to harm. Boxing encourages opponents to knock each other out with punches to the face and upper body. Even when supervised and wearing protective headgear, it still involves targeting the face. Therefore, this is not considered permissible.

صحيح البخاري (3/ 151) حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنِي مَالِكُ بْنُ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ: وَأَخْبَرَنِي ابْنُ فُلاَنٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدٍ المَقْبُرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنْ هَمَّامٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «إِذَا قَاتَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَجْتَنِبِ الوَجْهَ»

Answered by:
Ifta Research Fellow

Checked & Approved by:
Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Mufti Zubair Patel