Chapter on Racing and Archery
Introduction
Al-sabaq, derived from the verb sabaqa–yasbiqu (to race), has two distinct forms. As-sabaq—with a movable bāʾ—refers to the prize or stake offered to the competitors, whereas as-sabaq—with the bāʾ quiescent—denotes the very act of racing, that is, matching one animal (or the like) against another.
Shaykh Taqī al-Dīn said: “Horse racing, archery with arrows, and similar contests that employ instruments of war are matters enjoined by Allah and His Messenger, for they assist in striving in the path of Allah.”
Shaykh ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Saʿdī classified competitive activities into three categories:
- Permissible when no prize is placed and impermissible when a prize is involved. This is the default ruling and covers foot races, boat races, wrestling, and tests of strength so long as they entail no danger.
- Prohibited whether or not a stake is offered, such as chess, backgammon, and any competition that distracts from an obligation or leads to something unlawful.
- Permissible even with prize money: races and contests involving arrows, camels, and horses.
Professor Ṭabbāra observed: “The ritual prayer is a compulsory religious exercise performed by every Muslim five times a day, free of fatigue and strain. It is the best regulator of the body, a stimulant for the intestines, and a wholesome workout for the muscles and joints. When we consider the movements of the prayer, we find a resemblance between them and the Swedish system in