ADVICE ON SISTERS EXERCISING AND WORKING OUT
Question: What is the legislative ruling on the woman who exercises, whether within her home or outside of her home?
Shaykh Muqbil ibn Haadee: If it is within the home then there is no harm; rather, we advise with this. If she has work to do then her work takes more precedence. Meaning, work in the service of her house and her home; it is appropriate for her to begin with this. Similarly, if she is with the women and foreign men do not see her, then there is no harm with this, insha-Allaah. Rather, we advise with this. This is because being stagnant and idle will perhaps lead to boredom and weakness in preservation (of the obligations); and to what else, O brothers? To weakness of the body. So what is correct is that the Muslim male and the Muslim female are in need of exercise, within the limits of the legislation.
Translated by: Raha ibn Donald Batts