and when we compare the movements of the prayer with those prescribed by the Swedish system of gymnastics, we see that the body’s motion in prayer is more precise and better suited to every age and to both sexes.

• Resolution of the Islamic Fiqh Council on the subject of “Boxing, Freestyle Wrestling, and Bullfighting”

All praise belongs to Allah alone, and blessings and peace be upon the one after whom there is no prophet, our master and Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and Companions.

To proceed:

The Islamic Fiqh Council of the Muslim World League, at its tenth session held in Mecca from Saturday 24 Ṣafar 1408 AH (17 October 1987) to Wednesday 28 Ṣafar 1408 AH (21 October 1987), examined the issue of boxing and wrestling—whether they can be regarded as permissible physical sports—as well as the bullfighting commonly practiced in certain foreign countries, and whether such activities are lawful or unlawful according to Islamic law.

After deliberating on the matter from every angle, and on the consequences produced by these activities that have been labeled “sports” and are now broadcast on television in Muslim lands and elsewhere; and after reviewing the studies commissioned by the Council in its previous session and prepared by specialist physicians, together with the statistics some of them presented concerning what has actually occurred worldwide as a result of boxing, and what is witnessed on television of some of the tragedies arising from freestyle wrestling, the Council resolved the following:

First – Boxing: The Council is unanimous that the form of boxing now practiced in sports arenas and competitions in our countries is forbidden by Islamic law, because it is based on allowing harm to each of—