Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Could you elaborate on the rulings for physical activities and sports in the Hanafi madhab (e.g. running for physical health, basketball with friends, etc.)? Does one’s intention have an influence on the ruling? [is it acceptable to read fictional novels as a hobby or to pass time,]
Assalamu alaikum,
Someone else answered:
In the Hanafi (Allah bless our Imams!) madhhab every form of amusement that doesn’t have a religious purpose is Makruh Tahriman…
NOTE:
This is not strictly speaking true. Anything that has a worldly or religious purpose or benefit is not blameworthy in the Hanafi school, as scholars and the texts explain. Therefore, if you like to read English literature, this would not be blameworthy (unless it leads, in your case, to something blameworthy) because reading literature has clear benefits. Of course, you would not have reward for these benefits without intending something noble.
The same thing would apply to sports if done for recreational purposes, for one’s health or to bring brothers together over a lawful activity, as long as they are free of anything blameworthy in the Shariah (such as excessive wasting of time that leads to foregoing one’s worldly or religious responsibilities, or swearing, players without their awra covered, etc). Unfortunately, there is often much that is blameworthy in recreational sports these days, so one should be careful.
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani