Farsideology: Lesson 12 - Horse Racing - Part 1

From WikiIslam

Lesson 12: Teaching Islam to Children

Teacher speaking: Today, children, we will study horse racing in Islam. In particular, we will study the horse racing legacy left to us by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). I will list and comment on five aspects of his horse racing legacy. In the following passage from the Musnad of Iman Ahamed bin Hanbal, we can see that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) loved his horse Subbah and that he had an insatiable desire to bet on the ponies. Class, let’s recite fifty times the passage:

Children reciting in unison: Anas was asked, Did you bet during the time of the Prophet? Did the Prophet bet? “Yes” Anas replied. “By Allah, he bet on a horse called Subbah. The horse won the race and the Prophet was very pleased about it.” source

The Horse Racing Legacy of Muhammad (pbuh)

The Father of Islamic Horse Racing

Sahih Bukhari Vol. 1, Book 8, No. 412: Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar: Allah's Apostle ordered for a horse race; the trained horses were to run from a place called Al-Hafya' to Thaniyat Al-Wada' and the horses which were not trained were to run from Al-Thaniya to the Masjid (mosque of) Bani Zuraiq.

Teacher’s comment: Allah's Apostle established the first Islamic horse race. All future generations of Muslims, who gather around the race track to place their wagers, should be thankful to Muhammad (pbuh). All praise be to Allah!

Halal Gambling

Sunan Abu Dawud Book 14, No. 2568: Narrated AbuHurayrah: The Prophet said: Wagers are allowed only for racing camels, or horses or shooting arrows.

Teacher’s comment: Wagers on racing dogs , on racing bikes , or shooting guns are strictly forbidden by our holy Prophet. Allah knows best!

Definition of Gambling

Sunan Abu Dawud Book 14, No. 2573: Narrated AbuHurayrah: The Prophet said: If one enters a horse with two others when he is not certain that it cannot be beaten, it is not gambling; but when one enters a horse with two others when he is certain it cannot be beaten, it is gambling.

Teacher’s comment: The logic of Islam is derived from this definition. Class, you must memorize this definition. On the Resurrection Day, Allah will ask you to recite the definition. Allah never forgets!

Racing Rules

Sunan Abu Dawud Book 14, No. 2575: Narrated Imran ibn Husayn: The Prophet said: There must be no shouting or leading another horse at one's side. Yahya added in his tradition: When racing for a wager.

Teacher’s comment: Any jockey caught breaking the rules will suffer Allah’s punishment: incineration by flamethrower. Allah doesn’t like cheaters!