Can Muslims practice Brazilian jiu-jitsu?

Yes, Muslims can practise Brazilian jiu-jitsu, with conditions. It's a grappling art with no strikes, so it avoids the main concern about punching the face. The things to manage are close body contact, awrah in training kit, and training with the opposite gender. Same-gender partners and classes solve most of it.

Why BJJ is easier than striking sports

Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is about control: holds, escapes and submissions on the ground. There are no punches or kicks, and the goal is to make your partner tap out rather than to knock them out. That makes it very different from boxing or MMA, where scholars worry about blows to the face. See Can Muslims do boxing or MMA?

The Prophet ﷺ said, "The strong-man is not one who wrestles well but the strong man is one who controls himself when he is in a fit of rage" (Sahih Muslim 2609). Good BJJ teaches exactly that: patience, calm under pressure and respect for your partner. Tapping early and training with care are part of the culture, which also fits the Islamic principle of not harming others.

Close contact between men

BJJ involves a lot of pressing, gripping and tangling. With another man, the main concern is the awrah, which most scholars say is from the navel to the knees. The Prophet ﷺ said, "A man should not see the private parts of another man" (Sahih Muslim 338). In practice:

Wear a gi (the jacket and trousers), or no-gi spats or compression leggings under your shorts, so nothing rides up.
Shower and change in a cubicle or under a towel, not in the open.

Training with women

This is the biggest question for many Muslims. Most scholars say that deliberate physical contact between men and women who aren't related should be avoided. When the Prophet ﷺ took pledges of allegiance from women, he did it by words alone and did not shake their hands (Sahih al-Bukhari 7214). BJJ's ground work involves far closer contact than a handshake, so:

Women: look for women-only classes, which many academies now run, or train with female partners and female instructors. See Can Muslim women do martial arts?
Men: politely ask your instructor to pair you with men, and explain that it's a religious reason. Most instructors are happy to arrange this.
Open mats: pick sessions where you can choose your partners.

Scholars differ on how strictly to apply this to a class setting, so ask a trusted imam if you aren't sure.

Kit for women

A gi is modest by design, and you can wear a long-sleeve rash guard and leggings underneath. A snug sports hijab without pins stays on during rolling. See How do I wear hijab for sports? Many sports federations now allow hijabs, so check the rules of your competition.

Prayer and class times

Evening classes often overlap with Maghrib or Isha. Pray before you go, or step out for five minutes. Tell your coach early in the season, and most will be glad to help.

Key points

BJJ has no strikes, so it avoids the face-blow concern.
Men should wear kit that covers navel to knee and doesn't ride up.
Avoid close contact with the opposite sex: use same-gender partners or classes.
Tap early, stay calm and keep your prayers on time.

Tip: Search for "women-only BJJ" or "sisters' class" in your city, or message the academy before your trial to ask about partner pairing. It saves any awkwardness on the mat.