Ash-Shaykh Muqbil رحمه الله says:

“.. الكرة (i.e sports) isn’t a means of da’wah and no one uses الكرة (i.e sports) as a means of da’wah except the Ikhwanul Mufliseen [another term used to refer to the Ikhwanul Muslimeen by] and Allah’s aid is sought. Mufliseen (the bankrupt ones) [are those] who have become bankrupt from the (real) teachings of the Quran and Sunnah…” End translation.

Concerning the topic of imitation and if it requires an intention for it or not, Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-Uthaymeen rahimahullah clarifies that the act of imitation doesn’t require a niyyah [an intention]; merely just resembling a people in their specifics falls into imitation, if even the person didn’t intend. [The person especially imitates a a people] if he is aware that he is resembling others in their specifics.”

The above speech of Shaykh Muqbil rahimahullah is more in relation to a people who take it as a part their methodology in giving da’wah, to the point the majority of their programs are based upon entertainment and sports to attract numbers mainly rather than actually calling them to the teachings of the Salaf as-Saalih. Similar was said by Shaykh Albany rahimahullah concerning the Ikhwanul Muslimeen.

Shaikh Al-Albani rahimahullah said:

‘The Muslim Brotherhood abandoned the path of the youth of Muhammad sallahu alayhi wa salam by a far, far distance. Their religion is sports, soccer, basketball… ‘ End translation. [Silsilatul-Huda wal-Noor no. 200, Excerpted]

Therefore, sharing reminders at certain places of entertainment and amusement when needed, especially when the opportunity arises, is legislated in Islam. However, one should avoid making these affairs one’s primary focus when calling the likes of these people for verily the greatest success lies in how the early ones used to call the people as Ash-Shaykh Albany rahimahullah said,

‘… This method is something foreign to Islam for verily many centuries have passed upon the Muslims and it hasn’t been known from them that they [the early generations of Muslims] used entertainment, that is if we consider it permissible, as a way to give dawah…’. End translation. [Excerpted]

Mentioned and translated by

AbdulFattaah Bin Uthman
Abu Fajr