What do Muslim athletes do with champagne on the podium?
Most Muslim athletes simply don't drink or spray the champagne. They step aside, hold the trophy instead, or leave the stage before the bottles come out. Some events now offer a non-alcoholic drink, like the sparkling rosewater used at some Formula 1 races in Muslim-majority countries.
Why it matters
Alcohol is haram in Islam, not just drinking it but being involved with it:
The Prophet ﷺ cursed ten people in connection with alcohol, including the one who drinks it, the one who serves it and the one who carries it (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1295). Spraying champagne isn't drinking, but it's still celebrating with alcohol and handling it, so most scholars say to avoid it. See Can Muslims drink alcohol?
What well-known athletes have done
- Stepping aside: when England won the 2019 Cricket World Cup, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid celebrated with the trophy alongside their teammates, then stepped aside before the champagne was sprayed.
- Alcohol-free podiums: at Formula 1 races in Muslim-majority countries such as Bahrain, the podium drink is a non-alcoholic sparkling rosewater.
- Holding the trophy or medal while teammates spray around them, keeping a little distance.
- Celebrating differently: a quick sujood of thanks, raising a finger, or saying "Alhamdulillah" on camera.
What if it gets sprayed on you?
You haven't sinned if someone else sprays you. Scholars differ on whether alcohol is physically impure (najis): the majority say it is, while some see its prohibition as about drinking, not purity. To be safe, change or wash your kit before you pray. See Is perfume with alcohol haram?
Locker rooms and team parties
The same principle applies after the podium. You can join the celebration, the speeches and the photos, and drink something else. Just avoid sitting where drinking is the main activity for long. See Can I go to a bar with friends if I only drink soda?
- Drinking or spraying champagne is something Muslims avoid.
- Many Muslim athletes step aside or leave the stage briefly.
- Some podiums offer non-alcoholic alternatives.
- Being sprayed isn't your sin; wash before praying.
People also ask
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Turkey bacon is halal only if the turkey was slaughtered the halal way. The name isn't the issue; check the label for a halal logo and pork casings.
Read the full answer →Does eating pork break wudu?
No, eating pork doesn't break wudu, though it's haram. Rinse your mouth before praying. Only camel meat breaks wudu, and only in the Hanbali view.
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