Is It Permissible to Watch Calisthenics Videos in Which the Awra Is Exposed?

Answered by Shaykh Muhammad Carr

Question 

There is a brother who would like to take up calisthenics. At present, he cannot afford a personal trainer.

Can he watch the videos, read the articles, and try to avoid looking at pictures or footage of people who do not properly cover their awra?

Answer

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

Congratulations on taking this important step towards improving your health and well-being.

The Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “There are two blessings that people are negligent of, health and free time.” [Bukhari]

It is not permissible to watch videos in which the nakedness (awra) is exposed.

This includes a male looking at a female’s nakedness (awra). According to the relied-upon view (mu’tamad) in the Shafi’i School, this prohibition includes looking at the face and hands, despite the absence of desire and cause for strife (fitna). [Dimyati. I’ana al-Talibin.]

It is likewise not permissible to look at the nakedness of a male, which is the area between the navel and the knee. [Ibid.]

Even though women may be fully clothed in these videos, their clothing is typically very tight-fitting, exposing the contours of the body.

This demonstration falls under the ambit of the Prophetic statement, “And women who are clothed yet naked, who incline others and are themselves inclined”. [Muslim]

Action without knowledge is impossible. It is thus admirable that you seek to educate yourself before beginning to practice.

I am confident that you will find calisthenics learning materials that are free from Shariah prohibitions.

The principle of “Be Allah-conscious all you can” [Quran, 64:16] requires us to exhaust all permissible means at our disposal.

I pray this is of benefit and Allah guides us all.

[Shaykh] Muhammad Carr
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Muhammad Carr has dedicated his life to studying and transmitting our beautiful deen. His studies have taken him around the globe, where he has benefitted from many luminaries. Under the guidance of his teachers – Shaykh Taha Karan, Shaykh Yaseen Abbas, Shaykh Muadh Ali and many others – Shaykh Muhammad has grown to appreciate the beauty and benefits of diverse scholarship. He completed his memorization of the Qur’an at Dar al-Ulum Zakariyyah in September 1997 and received an Alimiyya Degree in 2006 from DUAI (Darul Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah). He is also affiliated with Masjid Auwal in Bo Kaap, Cape Town (the oldest mosque in South Africa), where he serves as a co-imam, and Dar Al-Safa, where he has taught since 2018. As a teacher, he imparts the wisdom of our heritage and tradition by opening the door for students. As an imam, he has the unique opportunity to serve his community in daily life. 

In addition to his roles as a teacher and imam, Shaykh Muhammad Carr has contributed significantly to the administrative and advisory aspects of Islamic institutions. Since 2023, he has served as the Administrative Director at The Imam Kurani Institute, contributing to the institution’s growth and development. He continues to pursue traditional Islamic Sciences, possessing a keen interest in Islamic Contract Law and Finance. Shaykh Muhammad has been a Shari’ah Board Member for Islamic Asset Management & Insurance Companies since 2001, aligning financial practices with Islamic principles.