Question

What is the reference and meaning of the Hadith on all sport of the Mu’min being batil?

Answer

You are probably referring to the following Hadith recorded in Sunan Tirmidhi and Sunan Abi Dawud:

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“…Any pastime that a Muslim engages in is futile except shooting his bow, training his horse and playing with his wife for they are from the truth”

(Sunan Tirmidhi, 1637 and Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 2505)

“Batil” means void of reward. If a person engages in a frivolous pastime, which does not benefit him in anyway, he will not gain any reward.

Mulla ‘Ali Al Qari (rahimahullah) states, “Anything that assists a person or is beneficial for him [will not be regarded as futile] like, racing; be it on foot or horse/camel back or taking a walk with the intention of strengthening the body and to relax or freshen the mind.”

(Refer: Tuhfatul Ahwadhi, Hadith: 1637)

See another version of the Hadith here.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar