Muslims and swimming

[Outcider]

Before my question may I express my apologies to anyone who may feel offended by the following:


I'd like to hear your comments on the suitability of swimming for Muslims. This may sound as a silly question again, but let me explain why I'm asking this.

I've spent time in Tunisian, Turkish and Turk-Cypriot beaches and heard comments from friends who've visited Dubai, Egypt and Morocco and we've always wondered why swimming appears to be quite unpopular among local people, who are principally Muslims.

Are there any regulations that concern swimming? Do men and women have to have separate beaches? I know that in Iran men and women have separate areas for downhill skiing!

I have noticed that adult Gypsies in Northern Europe don't swim in public beaches. A friend of mine once accidentally saw an elderly Gipsy woman going into a lake on a hot day, but she only lifted her heavy velvet skirt (even 10 kg) and made the underwear wet.

[Kaiser]

Well I dont know about the religion thing, but one thing for sure is that the sun burns your skin more when your in water and that aint good for your health, besides if they live there all theyre lives they do not need to go to the beach to take some sun like ppl from the northen parts of the world do in the summer, so that may be one reason why the locals never go there.
Also there the fact that you arent allowed to reveal yourself in public and open places.

['Inayah']

Swimming I think per say is not a problem. I think the problem is the presence of both sexes and also the uncovering of the 'awrah'.

The 'awrah' for men in front of anyone is navel to knee whilst for women in mixed company it is the entire body bar face and hands (and feet in some schools of thought) but in the presence of just females it is navel to knee.

It is difficult to go swimming fully clothed (and there are safety reasons as to why one should not) and also if other people are 'uncovered' it is difficult to lower the gaze ... so beaches in general are avoided by muslims. Swimming in pools is okay if they are women only or men only sessions (that includes the lifeguards ... I know that seems obvious to most but you'd be surprised). I go swimming to a local pool which runs such sessions.

Has that helped? I hope so.

[Raven]

I went to the lake today and was wondering this exact thing. Thanks for the info!

[Sultan]

I liked to swim in the mediterranian off Morocco. But ever since a great white shark got caught in the sea, I abandoned the idea of swimming!

[Raven]

If I wanted to do some swimming or scuba-diving in a Muslim neighborhood or country, how should I dress? Just trying to respect the locals' wishes. Thx!

[Sultan]

I guess it depends on which country you go to. I see moroccan men on beach dressed in swimming trunks and swimming. I see men in Jalaba jumping in the sea.

I have jumped in the sea with all my clothes (t-shirt and jeans)on coz I couldn't resist the water!

[Lala]

Originally posted by Raven
If I wanted to do some swimming or scuba-diving in a Muslim neighborhood or country, how should I dress? Just trying to respect the locals' wishes. Thx!

My guess is that you could pull it off (not intended as a play on words) in morroco or tunisia -- especially the scuba -- I mean, depending on the weather, on can wear something that (although its form fitting) covers the body - & scuba is a sport ...
& I wonder, if you wore, like an athletic kind of swim suit, & hit the waves right away, if that would help, kind of showing that you are there to do someth9ing for your health, not to show off you new bikini. Or you could just go to Nice, & not have to worry about anything except some extra strong sunblock:)

Lala

[Lala]

Originally posted by Sultan
[B]I guess it depends on which country you go to. I see moroccan men on beach dressed in swimming trunks and swimming. I see men in Jalaba jumping in the sea. [B]

How about the women? See any on the beach? (I'm so sure there are no single girls just reading the book & working on the tan -- but are there any,say, modern type moms out to the beach with dad & the family wearing a bathing suit?

Lalal

[Kaiser]

Like I sayd before locals who live there for theyre entire life dont go to the beach to get some sun, because they get it each day, since they live there and do not need it, It is also bad for you skin and health.

I never go to the beach, nor swimming (cant swim).

[Outcider]

Kohr-Ah, sun is advantageous, if you suffer from psoriasis! Doctors often recommend moving to the south. People who live in the far north, like myself, also know how invigorating sunshine can be in the middle of a dark winter.

[Bilal]

Swimming is recommended in Islam.
There are Hadith said: Teach your sons/daughters swimming, riding horses and throwing arrow

[Outcider]

Originally posted by Bilal
Swimming is recommended in Islam.
There are Hadith said: Teach your sons/daughters swimming, riding horses and throwing arrow

Thanks, Bilal, for pointing this out. It's funny how there seems to be a rule for more or less everything is Islam!