Grand Ayatollah Shirazi Permits Women’s Military Training and Sports Under Conditions

Grand Ayatollah Shirazi Permits Women’s Military Training and Sports Under Conditions
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The office of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Husseini Shirazi held its daily scholarly session on Thursday, the 9th of Rabi’ al-Thani, 1447 AH, where the Supreme Marja addressed several questions concerning Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and women’s social participation.

His Eminence issued rulings clarifying the permissibility of two key activities for Muslim women: military training and sports.

Regarding the ruling on military engagement, Grand Ayatollah Shirazi confirmed that while defensive jihad (warfare) is not obligatory for women, acquiring military training for self-defense is permissible. This ruling provides religious backing for women to gain skills necessary for protection and self-reliance.

On the subject of women’s participation in athletic activities, His Eminence emphasized a critical condition rooted in Islamic ethics. He stated that participation in sports is permissible only if it does not lead to corruption (fasad) or the commission of a forbidden act (harām). If the activities result in either corruption or a forbidden act, they are not allowed.