Q: Is it permissble to play rugby? This is a contact sport in which it is very common one player’s awrah to touch another player’s awrah through his clothing. For example, one player’s thigh touches another player’s hip while he tackles him ect. Obviously both players are fully clothed with kit and it’s a proper sport not some dodgy game.
A: If this sport is played occasionally in an unorganized manner and all the players are clad properly in a manner that their satr is not exposed and they are all conscious of their Deeni obligations (i.e. performing Salaah on time) and there is nothing impermissible associated with the game, they are only playing this game in order to refresh themselves, then it will be permissible. However it should be known that if one is aroused through one’s body touching another player’s body while playing the game (even though both are clad properly), then it is impermissible for such a person to play this game.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)