amusement

‘Umar bin Abdul-‘Azeez, رضي الله عنه, said, “There is no harm for a Muslim to have some amusement and partake in some recreational activities so long as he does not make that his habit and lag behind during the time of seriousness, and play during the time of work.” Abdullah bin Mas’ood, رضي الله عنه, used to say, “I will give you sermons only when you are eager to have them, as the Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم used to do with us fearing that we might get bored.” But this is not an excuse to shorten the time for remembrance of ALLAH and seriousness OR to assume that amusement is free to be without regardless for Halal or Haram. 

Ibn Mas’ood, رضي الله عنه, while explaining the importance of recreation said, ‘Refresh your hearts; for when the heart is coerced (to do something) it becomes blind’.

‘Ali, رضي الله عنه, also said, ‘Make your heart relaxed and seek for it (entertainment in) light insightful conversation, for it gets bored as your bodies get bored’.

Aboo Dardaa’, رضي الله عنه, said, ‘I make my heart relaxed through lawful amusement; that it may be strong enough to assist me on the Truth’.

As for the first generation of Muslims, they partook in amusements in order to strengthen their bodies, refine their manners, and train themselves in the qualities of real manhood and seriousness and to open new horizons of knowledge and action. It was for these noble purposes that they raced, wrestled and encouraged one another to learn spear throwing. The Prophet  صلي الله عليه وسلم  raced with ‘Aa’ishah, رضي الله عنها, and wrestled with Rukaanah and defeated him and that was what caused Rukaanah  to embrace Islam.

quoted from jumaat khutbah at Yokohama National University