Can Muslims Play Racing Video Games Involving Speeding and Crashes?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

Is it permissible to play racing video games that involve breaking traffic laws, street racing, speeding, and destroying police cars and other vehicles by crashing into them, given that no human beings are depicted as harmed, and that I play purely for enjoyment as an experienced adult driver who clearly distinguishes the game from reality?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

In general, playing these racing games is allowed. Driving fast or crashing cars in a game is not wrong by itself, since the real dangers of reckless driving, like hurting people, damaging property, or breaking the law, do not happen in a simulation.

This ruling stays the same as long as the game does not include anything forbidden and does not distract you from your duties or affect your heart in a negative way.

The basic rule is that things in daily life are allowed unless there is clear evidence from Sacred Law that says otherwise [al-Suyuti, al-Ashbah wa al-Naza’ir]. Speeding and reckless driving are forbidden in real life because they can hurt people, damage property, or break the law.

When you play a racing game, none of these real-life harms happen. No one gets hurt, no laws are broken, and only virtual cars are damaged. So, the game does not have the same rulings as real-life actions.

The main factor is what the game contains. If there are characters or images, just having them is not sinful as long as they are dressed modestly and not shown in a wrong way.

The game is not allowed if it encourages indecency, mocks religion, promotes shirk, or makes bad behavior seem attractive. Recreation is allowed if it does not include anything forbidden and does not make you neglect your religious or daily duties [Ibn Naqib, ‘Umdat al-Salik].

If the game is mostly good entertainment and does not harm you spiritually, it is permitted, as long as you play in moderation and with the right intention.

Remember to keep things in perspective when it comes to entertainment.

Allah (Most High) says, “Know that the worldly life is but play and amusement, adornment and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in wealth and children… And the worldly life is nothing but the enjoyment of delusion” [Quran, 57:20].

The pleasures of this world do not last, but what is with Allah remains. Enjoy what is allowed, but do not make it your main goal.

Principle and Practical Guidance

Some people benefit from extramural activities to refresh themselves for worship and more important duties.

If one chooses to play permissible games, they must never become, nor distract from, one’s main focus. Ultimately, your gameplay is judged by the game’s content and how it affects your responsibilities.

Recheck the game’s content and check for any clearly unlawful elements. If there are none, the game is permissible, but if you still doubt, then it would be commendable to practice caution (wara’).

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Leave what causes doubt for what does not, for truthfulness is tranquility and falsehood is doubt.” [Tirmidhi]

Be mindful of your time, since games can become a habit. Do not let them take the place of your prayers or your daily Quran reading.

Protect your heart, and if you notice the game is making you less sensitive or giving you bad thoughts, take a break from it. Use your free time to help you come back to worship refreshed, not to avoid it.

And Allah (Most High) knows best.

[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

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Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.