Why do Muslim footballers do sujood after scoring?
Muslim footballers do sujood after scoring to thank Allah. It's called sujood ash-shukr, the prostration of gratitude, a sunnah the Prophet ﷺ did when he received good news. Players like Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané made it a familiar sight on pitches around the world.
What the sujood of gratitude is
Sujood ash-shukr is a single prostration, forehead on the ground, done when something good happens or a harm is avoided. Abu Bakrah reported that when the Prophet ﷺ received news that pleased him, he would fall down in prostration to thank Allah (Sunan Abi Dawud 2774). It isn't a full prayer: there's no standing, no recitation and no rak'ah, just one sujood. Allah promises more blessings to those who are grateful:
Why footballers do it
- Gratitude: a goal is a gift. The player is saying "this came from Allah, not just from me".
- Humility: in the moment when the crowd is cheering your name, putting your forehead on the grass is a reminder of who you really are.
- Identity: for many fans it's a proud, public sign of faith. Children at Sunday league matches copy it.
Playing and enjoying sport fits well with Islam. See Which sports did the Prophet Muhammad encourage?
How to do it yourself
- Say "Allahu Akbar" and go down into one prostration.
- Say "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la" and thank Allah in your own words, in any language. See Can I make dua during sujood?
- Get up. There's no tashahhud or salam according to most scholars.
Scholars differ on whether wudu and facing the qibla are required. Many in the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools treat it like the prostration of recitation and require wudu. Others, such as Ibn Taymiyyah, said wudu isn't required, because it's not a formal prayer and good news comes suddenly. A footballer mid-match is following that second view, held by respected scholars.
Gratitude off the pitch too
You don't have to score a goal. Passed your exam, got the job, a scan came back clear? A sujood of thanks is a beautiful habit. Even a simple "Alhamdulillah" counts as gratitude. See What does "Alhamdulillah" mean and when do I say it?
- The celebration is sujood ash-shukr, a prostration of gratitude.
- The Prophet ﷺ prostrated when he received good news.
- It's one prostration, with no full prayer around it.
- Scholars differ on whether wudu is required for it.
People also ask
Can Muslims go to football stadiums?
Yes, Muslims can go to football stadiums. Plan around prayer times, avoid alcohol, abusive chants and betting, and use stadium prayer rooms.
Read the full answer →Can Muslim athletes wear kits with alcohol or betting sponsors?
It depends. Many scholars say Muslim athletes should avoid alcohol or betting sponsor logos where possible; others see team kits as a lighter issue.
Read the full answer →How do I pray during a sports tournament?
To pray during a sports tournament, map prayer windows against match times, pray in breaks on any clean spot, and shorten or combine if travelling.
Read the full answer →Is skydiving haram?
No, skydiving isn't haram for most scholars when done safely with a licensed centre. BASE jumping and reckless jumps are a different matter.
Read the full answer →Are extreme sports haram?
Extreme sports aren't haram in themselves. Scholars allow them with training and low real risk, but stunts likely to kill or injure you are not.
Read the full answer →