The second is to hunt merely for amusement and sport, without any need for food; then, after catching the game, to leave it. This is disliked; indeed, there would be grounds for deeming it prohibited, since it is frivolity and a waste of wealth and time.

The third is to hunt in a manner that harms people—for example, where one’s hunting entails entering people’s farms and causing them harm, or perhaps violating their privacy by looking at their women in their homes. This is prohibited because of the harm it entails for Muslims.

This is with regard to hunting in itself. As for its effects, hunting delights and pleases the soul, and gives a person an energy and vitality known only to those who hunt. You find that they experience pleasure, joy, and enjoyment, even though they grow tired, pursue birds and animals, and go out after them on bitterly cold nights and scorching days.

Likewise, hunting serves the benefit of learning archery, and learning archery is among the prescribed matters. Allah the Exalted says:

“Prepare against them whatever force you can.” [Quran 8:60]

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed, strength is archery; indeed, strength is archery.” (1)

And the Prophet ﷺ said: “Shoot and ride, but shooting is dearer to me than riding.” (2)