Fatwa #145953 October 2006South Africa
When growing up I was a competitive swimmer, waterpolo-player, surfer and lifeguard.
Question
Salaams.
When growing up I was a competitive swimmer, waterpolo-player, surfer and lifeguard. When the fast came around I would not discontinue these activities even though alot of my friends regarded swimming as being garaam while fasting. I always thought i am not going to swim with the intention of drinking the water and thus swimming was not garaam. Many of them often asked what about the water entering yourt nose and ears? i would like to know ss it permissible to swim, surf , play waterpolo while fasting?
When growing up I was a competitive swimmer, waterpolo-player, surfer and lifeguard. When the fast came around I would not discontinue these activities even though alot of my friends regarded swimming as being garaam while fasting. I always thought i am not going to swim with the intention of drinking the water and thus swimming was not garaam. Many of them often asked what about the water entering yourt nose and ears? i would like to know ss it permissible to swim, surf , play waterpolo while fasting?
Answer
Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah
Brother/Sister in Islam
Swimming does not invalidate the fast on condition you don swallow the water. Water entering the nose and ears do not invalidate the fast.
And Allah Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Please Note: Listen to live discourses and advices given by Mufti Ebrahim Desai throughout this Ramadhan streaming on WWW.RADIORAMADHANCROYDON.COM Every alternate day after Fajr. 5:30am and after Taraweeh at 10:15pm. Also 10:00am everyday, Q/A 2:00pm and after Asr Majlis 5:15pm. All times are according to British standard times.