Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
Did Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) play any sports to stay fit?
Answer:
In the Name of God, Most Merciful, Most Kind
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for your question.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) was a healthy, fit and active human being. He always encouraged being active and health cautious.
Various reports indicate that the Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings upon him) participated and or encouraged the following sports related activities:
- swimming
- archery
- horse riding
- walking
- racing
- playing with one’s family
“His (peace and blessings upon him) stomach and chest were in line.” (Ṭabrānī and Tirmidhī)
“The strong (active) believer is better and more beloved to God than the weak believer, while there is good in both.” (Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim)
“Anything which is not encompassed in the remembrance of God is useless and futile except for four things; playing with one’s spouse, training one’s horse, walking between two targets (while aiming arrows), and learning how to swim”. (Al-Jāmi’ Al-Ṣaghīr)
Ai’shā (may God be pleased with her) says: “I competed with the Messenger of God [in running] and overtook him. Later, when I had put on some weight, I once again competed with him, but this time he overtook me and said: “We are even now.” (Sunan Abī Dāwūd)
And Allāh Knows Best