Sport, Strength, and Morality: Shifting Balances Throughout History
- vucuthocasi
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Sport, Strength, and Morality: Shifting Balances Throughout History
Written by: IFBB PRO COACH CAN ÜNAL
Throughout history, humans have trained their bodies, become stronger, more resilient…But behind all these physical processes, one fundamental question has remained the same:“What are you using this strength for?”
Today, let’s take a journey through time — exploring Islam, Ottoman culture, and modern Turkish society — to question how fitness, physical development, morality, and humility have evolved.
The Balance of Body and Soul in Islam
In Islam, the human being is a composite of both body and soul. The Quran frequently emphasizes the struggle with the nafs (ego/self), which symbolizes the inner conflict between physical and spiritual urges. Islam not only values spiritual purity but also places great importance on physical well-being.
When we look at the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), this is clearly evident:
He would walk long distances, ride horses, shoot arrows, wrestle, and swim.
The hadith “A strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than a weak believer” encourages physical strength.
Cleanliness, hygiene, and caring for one’s body are considered acts of worship in Islam.
The essential distinction here is this:In Islam, the body is a tool — not the goal.Building muscle, staying fit, and looking healthy are part of caring for the body entrusted by God. However, when the body becomes a tool for vanity, arrogance, or showing off — it no longer aligns with worship, but deviation.
According to narrations, Caliph Umar (RA) once said,
“If I see arrogance in a man’s walk or ostentation in his clothing, I keep my distance.”In Islam, true strength is not just about power but maintaining humility while being strong.
Unfortunately, in today’s gyms, behaviors like grunting loudly, constantly checking oneself in the mirror, or mocking others are not about physical discipline — they are expressions of the inflated ego.
Thus, Islam makes this distinction clear:
Those who build their bodies with intention and humility are on a path of goodness.
But those who glorify their bodies may be edging toward spiritual ruin.
Sport and Discipline in the Ottoman Empire
In the Ottoman civilization, sport was not just physical activity — it was also a moral and character education. Young men engaged in physical training not just to build muscle but also to develop patience, loyalty, and obedience.
Ottoman sports combined bodily training with spiritual refinement.For example, the Enderun School — an elite institution that trained state leaders inside the palace — included sports like wrestling, archery, horsemanship, and spear throwing in its curriculum. But the aim was far beyond physical skill:
Decision-making ability
Humility
Control over one’s strength
The famed pehlivans (Ottoman wrestlers) were not only physically strong — they were respected in society for their moral uprightness.They never stepped onto the mat without a prayer.They respected their opponents.And they celebrated victories not with arrogance, but with composure.
In the Ottoman worldview, sport measured a person not by how fast they ran, but by how gracefully they behaved when they slowed down.
Even ok meydanları (archery fields), where physical training occurred, were also centers of moral education. Young men learned etiquette, self-control, and the wisdom of elders — not just how to shoot a bow.
So, what does the Ottoman approach to sports teach us today?Building muscle isn’t wrong. But losing balance while building it is.Discipline is noble. But when it turns into arrogance, sport no longer builds character — it corrodes it.
Today’s Reality: Muscle, but No Morality?
Today, things have drastically shifted.Fitness and bodybuilding are no longer just about health. They’ve become tools for attention, validation, and image.In the age of social media, nudity, sexuality, and superficial appeal have surpassed fitness itself.
For many, sport is no longer a path of inner growth — it has become a tool to feed the ego.As a result, we’ve lost the balance we once had.Humility has been replaced by showmanship.Discipline by haste.Hard-earned gains by superficial shortcuts.
Cultural and Moral Differences: Race, Religion, Sect, and Norms
A vital point must be addressed here:Each society has different moral codes, religious interpretations, sectarian views, and cultural norms.
In Western societies like the U.S., it is generally acceptable for fitness influencers, bikini athletes, and stage competitors to display their bodies or wear revealing clothing.It aligns with their secular, individualistic lifestyle.
But in countries like Turkey or Iran, the situation is different.These societies are more conservative, traditional, and religiously grounded, so such public imagery is often seen as provocative, inappropriate, or immoral.
It’s not just about clothing — it’s about the clash between intention and perception.
And we must remember:No society holds a monopoly on truth.Each culture forms its values based on history, religion, and its social fabric.What is “normal” in one may be completely unacceptable in another.This isn’t a culture war — it’s a cultural reality.
Ego, Arrogance, and Isolation: A Silent Collapse
The discipline and respect inherent in sport are slowly being replaced by ego and arrogance.Many professional athletes, as their bodies grow and their social media following rises, become detached from society, unable to build sincere relationships, and eventually, deeply isolated.
Arrogance acts like a silent poison — it breaks every warm bond around you.
More and more, we see successful athletes becoming feared, unapproachable, and even alienated in their own communities.
And people begin whispering:
“Strong body, but no love.”“Powerful, but alone.”“Aesthetic, but shallow.”
Real strength isn’t just pressing 100 kilos.It’s being powerful without needing validation.Succeeding without shouting.Advancing without becoming isolated.
Dangerous Narratives: Experts and Religious Authorities
A disturbing trend has emerged recently.Some doctors, dietitians, and media pundits are making statements like:
“Exercise harms the heart.”“Muscle building shortens life.”“Too much training destroys the body.”“Fit people die younger.”
These claims lack scientific grounding and are often based on ideology or fear tactics.Worse, they’re discouraging society from exercising — normalizing a sedentary lifestyle.Even though the World Health Organization explicitly states that regular weekly physical activity is essential for all individuals.
In parallel, some religious figures have also started sharing troubling opinions from the pulpit:
“Handsome men will go to hell.”“Dressing well is forbidden.”“Muscle equals vanity.”“Caring for beauty is a sin.”
These statements are not rooted in sacred texts, but in personal bias and cultural prejudice.
In Islam, aesthetic is not forbidden — intention is what matters.Islam encourages cleanliness, health, and presentability.
So, What’s the Solution?
The solution is simple — but profound:
Let’s not forget our intention when training.
Let’s take care of our bodies from within, not just on the outside.
Let’s build muscles without neglecting our spirit.
Let’s follow the path of benefit, not vanity — of humility, not ego.
True strength isn’t pressing 100 kilos —It’s carrying that power silently, humbly, and for the good of others.
Final Words
Sport is a mirror. It shows what you seek.If you want to find yourself, it will discipline you.If you want to be seen, it will consume you.
We need to restore that sacred balance passed down from Ottoman heritage.Because our bodies and souls carry the legacy of these lands.
Before our muscles, our intentions must be visible.Before our strength, our character must speak.True sport, and true respect — begin right here.
Commentaires