ARCHERY – A Sunnah Sport

Islam is a complete religion. The best way of life for both mankind. In Islam with spiritual activities we also have activities that help us have a healthy sporty life. One from them is archery.

It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Amir who said:I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say—and he was delivering a sermon from the pulpit: Prepare to meet them with as much strength as you can afford.

Beware, strength consists in archery. Beware, strength consists in archery. Beware, strength consists in archery.

حَدَّثَنَا هَارُونُ بْنُ مَعْرُوفٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ الْحَارِثِ، عَنْ أَبِي عَلِيٍّ، ثُمَامَةَ بْنِ شُفَىٍّ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ عُقْبَةَ بْنَ عَامِرٍ، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ يَقُولُ ‏ “‏ وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُمْ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ مِنْ قُوَّةٍ أَلاَ إِنَّ الْقُوَّةَ الرَّمْىُ أَلاَ إِنَّ الْقُوَّةَ الرَّمْىُ أَلاَ إِنَّ الْقُوَّةَ الرَّمْىُ [Ref: Sahih Muslim 1917].

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) once passed by some people of the tribe of Bani Aslam who were practicing archery. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “O Bani Ismail ! Practice archery as your father Ismail was a great archer. Keep on throwing arrows and I am with Bani so-and-so.” [Bukhari].

Uqbah bin ‘Amir Juhani (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, “Lands shall be laid open to you, and Allah will suffice you (against your enemies), but none of you should neglect practicing his skill in archery.” [Muslim].