Is It Permissible to Post Pictures of a Sports Game on Social Media If the Images Include Haram Sponsors, Such as Betting?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Is it permissible to post pictures of a sports game on social media if the images include haram sponsors, such as betting or insurance companies?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.
Look, it’s permissible to post pictures of a sports game if the content of the pictures is itself permissible. We’re assuming that we accept the majority ruling that photographs of animate objects are not the same as pictures of animate objects. In that case, posting pictures of sports matches is allowed. However, if the images include haram sponsors or any other haram elements, such as uncovered ‘awra, nudity, or unlawful actions, then posting such images would be unlawful.
- What Is the Ruling on Watching Sports Where the ‘Awra May Be Exposed? – Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
- Is Watching Sports Like Soccer Permissible? – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
- What Is the Ruling on Playing and Watching Football?
- What Is the Ruling on Photographing, Filming, and Drawing Animate Life?
Furthermore, one should think carefully about the time spent on frivolous activities, and even more so on activities that celebrate or glamorize frivolous activities. Watching sports in and of itself may be permissible, but it’s not the best use of one’s time. Therefore, those who want to watch sports within permissible bounds should do so, but not promote it to the point where they encourage others to watch sports. This would not be a very positive da‘wa.
They should watch sports in the privacy of their own homes or with friends, or however they wish to do so. But to go beyond that and glamorize it, celebrate it, and create a culture around it—there shouldn’t be that much space in the life of a believer for such activities. Ideally, a believer would be engaged in far more beneficial acts that would occupy most of their time, leaving little room for frivolous activities. And a fortiori, the celebration and promotion of one’s engagement in those frivolous activities. And Allah knows best.
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
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.
