Mu` meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah`s Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

If a muslim girl resides in a non muslim country (making muslims a minority) and she wishes to participate in sports....is it necessary for her to wear hijab during her volleyball game or netball game? And swimming, if the facilities are not made available for an all female swimming pool and the country is surrounded by water with drownings a frequent event....to what extent is swimming allowed. I believe that swimming is a survival skill especially in the country where I reside, but it needs to be practised regularly to be of any help in the future. To go and learn to swim is good but not useful if in the meantime you forget to float! Do you understand my point? Please advise

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

How can girls go swimming

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His  forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Islam does not prohibit or restrict the believing woman for playing sports or learning and practicing swimming. In the time of the Messenger of Allah (saws), the women used to learn horse-riding and even took part in the wars when the need arose.

Whatever the situation, a believing woman must always be covered Islamically in the company or sight of non-mehram men. This condition cannot be compromised, no matter the situation.

A believing woman may play volleyball or netball without the hijab, or swim without the hijab; provided she is in the company of her mehram relatives or woman. But in front of non-mehram relatives, the believing woman, who sincerely fears Allah and the Last Day, must always adorn herself with full Islamic clothing.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan