Can Muslims watch women's sports?
It depends on what is shown and how you watch. Watching women's sports is not haram in itself, and many scholars allow it when the athletes are modestly dressed and you aren't watching for attraction. When the kit is revealing, most scholars say men should avoid it, because of the Quran's command to lower the gaze.
The real issue is the gaze, not the sport
Islam has no problem with women playing sport or with people enjoying a good match. The question is about looking. Allah tells believing men to lower their gaze, and in the next verse gives the same command to believing women:
The Prophet ﷺ told Ali not to follow one glance with a second, because the first is forgiven but the second is not (Sunan Abi Dawud 2149). So an accidental look while flicking through channels is not a sin. Sitting down to watch for ninety minutes is a choice.
What scholars generally say
- Revealing sports (beach volleyball, gymnastics, swimming, athletics in crop tops): most scholars across the four schools say men should not watch these, since the camera often focuses on bodies.
- Modestly dressed athletes (for example a football or cricket match with full kit): many scholars allow watching for the game itself, as long as there is no lustful looking. Others prefer to avoid it as a precaution.
- Women watching women's sports: generally fine, since a woman's awrah in front of other women is much smaller.
The same principle applies to women watching men's sports. Aisha watched Abyssinian men performing a spear display in the mosque while the Prophet ﷺ screened her (Sahih al-Bukhari 454), and many scholars use this to allow women to watch men's sport without lustful looking.
Be honest with yourself
Ask why you are watching. If you follow your local women's football team because you love the tactics and want to support your daughter's club, that is very different from scrolling highlight reels of athletes. Your heart knows the difference, and so does Allah. The same goes for sports content on social media, where clips are often edited for looks rather than skill. See Is it haram to like someone's photo on Instagram?
Supporting women in sport
Muslim women increasingly compete at a high level in hijab and modest kit, and supporting them is a good thing. Cheering, reading match reports, or following a team's results is fine. If your own daughter or sister plays, go to her matches. For mixed play, see Can I still play on a mixed sports team as a Muslim? and for combat sports on TV, Is it haram to watch UFC?
- Women's sport itself isn't the problem; the gaze is.
- Most scholars say men should avoid sports with revealing kit.
- Watching modestly dressed athletes for the game is allowed by many.
- An accidental glance is forgiven; a long stare is a choice.
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