Wrestling is another of the physical prophetic practices that were encouraged by the Prophet Muhammad(PBUH). He not only encouraged his Companions (RA) to engage in wrestling, but like the other prophetic practices, engaged in it himself.
The well-known Islamic scholar of the 15 th century Imam Jalaluddin As-Suyuti penned a booklet in which he listed eighteen prophetic narrations where wrestling has been mentioned. He also mentions the famous incident where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) wrestled the most feared wrestler in Arabia at the time – Rukanah.
“It was known that in Mecca there was a person of immense strength who was skilled in wrestling. People would come from other places to wrestle him and he would defeat them. One day when he was in one of the valleys of Mecca he met the Prophet (PBUH) who said to him, ‘O Rukanah, are you not conscious of Allah and accept that which I call you to?’ Rukanah replied, ‘O Muhammad, do you have anything as proof of your truthfulness?’
He replied, ‘Yes, if I was to defeat you in wrestling would you have faith in Allah and His Messenger?’
Rukanah replied, ‘Yes O Muhammad, prepare for a wrestling match!’
The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘I am ready,’ at which point the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) threw him down. Rukanah was astonished at this and asked for another match, and he was defeated for a second and then a third time.
Rukanah stood up amazed and said, ‘Your matter is astonishing.’”
(This was narrated by Abu Nuaym and al-Bayhaqi from Abu Umamah from two routes of transmission)
