Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah

Is Bodybuilding Permissible?

· 10 Muharram 1441 AH1 min readFatwa 43249English

Question

Assalamualikum.I have a desire to build a good physique and to become strong.iam 6ft height very weak only 55 kg. so can i go to gym,do some workout and eat good amount of food and build my body.only for strength and good physique for a healthy life not for showoff or any other purpose.i know its not haram but is it appreciated to have this desire or should i leave it to Allah subhanava tala.?

Answer

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuhu.

Allah Ta’ala has blessed us with finely designed bodies. It is given to us, by Allah Ta’ala as a trust. Allah Ta’ala has ordered us to protect our body and preserve it in the perfect form he has fashioned.

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:

Translation: “Verily, your body has a right over you.” (Bukhari / 1975)

Our bodies have rights over us. We must not abuse or neglect it; it must be kept in good form. Islam encourages physical fitness and exercise. Bodybuilding is a means of remaining fit and strong.

It is narrated that the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:

Translation: “A strong believer is better and more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone” (Muslim / 2664)

If one does exercise and eats healthy food with the intention to be fit and able to do Ibadah (worship), then the exercise will also be an act of Ibadah.

And Allah Ta ‘āla Knows Best

Bayazeed

Student – Darul Iftaa

UK

Checked and approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

13-01-1440 | 13-09-2019

References (Arabic / Urdu sources)

فَإِنَّ لِجَسَدِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا (صحيح البخاري)

الْمُؤْمِنُ الْقَوِيُّ خَيْرٌ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى اللهِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِ الضَّعِيفِ وَفِي كُلٍّ خَيْرٌ (صحيح مسلم)

Checked & approved by
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
View original Compare with other Darul Iftas
Questions about this ruling, answered only from the archive with sources.

Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.

Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah. It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, please ask a Mufti. Report an issue

For corrections or mistakes, please email us at fatawasa786@gmail.com.

Source: Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah — https://askimam.org/public/question_detail/43249
Fatawa SA: https://fatawa.co.za/fatwa/askimam-43249

Related fatawa