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Question: Dear Sheikh: Is boxing unlawful? If a person earns money by boxing and donates this money to charity, will he be rewarded?

Answered by the Scientific Research Committee - IslamToday.net
As it is well known, boxing is a very hazardous sport that may cause death or severe injury. As such it is unlawful in Islam. Allah says: “And do not throw yourselves into destruction” and: “And do not kill yourselves( nor kill one another) . Surly, Allah is most Merciful to you.”

Also, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Harming yourselves or others is prohibited.” This makes it clear that it is unlawful for a person to harm himself or cause harm to others. This applies to boxing, since it is harmful to oneself and to the other combatant.

Therefore, the money gained from boxing is unlawful, because it is the pay that the boxer receives for his work, and if his work is unlawful, then the money he gains from it will also be unlawful. It is well known in Islam that when something is forbidden, its price is also forbidden, such as the money earned from selling liquor or pork.

Regarding the money a boxer may have already earned, he can dispose of it by spending it on the Muslims' needs, but with the intention of ridding himself of unlawful wealth and not with the intention of charity. He may not use the money for himself.