Question: What is the ruling on swimming in Ramadan?
Answer: “There is no harm for the fasting person to swim and he can swim [as much as] he wants and immerse himself in water. However, he should be eager that water does not seep into his stomach to the best of his ability. Swimming energizes a fasting person and makes it easier for him to fast. Whatever provides energy for the obedience of Allah, then it is not prevented because it is from what lightens the acts of worship upon a servant and makes it easier tor him. Allah, the Exalted said in the verses about fasting:
يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلاَ يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُواْ الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you [2:185]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
إن هذا الدين يسر، ولن يشاد الدين أحد إلا غلبه
Indeed, this religion is easy, and no one will ever overburden himself in religion, except that it will overcome him [Bukhari no. 39]
And Allah Knows Best”
[Majmoo’ al-Fatawa wal-Rasaail (19/285)]
Translated by
Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan
