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:

assalamualaikum,
these are the questions i would like to ask:

i would like to know whether doing exercise,body building is encouraged or is prohibited in islam ?.

is there anything mentioned in the quran or sunnah of the prophet about the above doubt i have i would like to know it for both men and women.

i hope that you answer me ,

if you do so

JAZAK ALLAH KHAIR

AHHAH HAFIZ 

(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:

Exercise body building

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.

Sahih Muslim Hadith 6441 Narrated byAbu Hurayrah

Allah's Messenger (saws) said: ‘A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone, (but) cherish that which gives you benefit (in the Hereafter) and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart, and if anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don't say: “If I had not done that, it would not have happened so and so”, but say: “Allah did that what He had ordained to do”; for your "ifs" opens the (gate for the Shaytaan)’

The terms ‘strong’ and ‘weak’ in the above authentic narration can be taken as both spiritual and physical terms; and thus a stronger believer is considered better and more lovable in the Sight of Allah Subhanah. It is absolutely encouraged in Islam for a believer, man or woman, to exercise regularly and take good care of their health.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1.1 Narrated by Umar bin Al Khattab

I heard Allah's Messenger (saws) saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.”

If the intention of one exercising and making his body stronger is so that he may take care of his health and also serve the Cause of Allah better, then not only he will be strong and healthy, but he shall also earn a reward for his efforts in the Hereafter; and if one exercises and builds his body with the intention to look good and impress others, then he shall have only what he intended. In the sight of Allah, every single deed done by man will be weighted and valued according to the intention that inspired one to do that deed; and the rewards will depend entirely upon his intentions.

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan