Why Muslims Can't Wear Nike

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Conflict of Faith: Why Muslims Should Not Wear Nike Clothes and Shoes

The basis of the social consciousness of Muslims is built on the teachings of Allah in the Koran. This is not just a dogma, but a list of rules and canons by which a huge number of Muslims around the world live. These rules affect not only the inner views of believers, but also their relationship with the world. The Koran restricts Muslims in the choice of clothing, and therefore conflicts on religious grounds occasionally arise in the world community. For the same reason, some Muslims refuse to wear Nike sportswear.

Why Muslims Avoid Nike Clothes and Shoes

Any clothing, if it does not contradict the rules of Sharia, is permissible (halal). If these are short pants, sleeveless T-shirts, as well as clothes with an ambiguous print, then this is not permissible for Muslims (haram). The inscription Nike, Adidas, Reebok or any other brand name, if it does not convey hostility towards Allah or Muslims, may be present on a believer's T-shirt or sneakers. However, with the Nike trademark, not everything is so simple; there are several situations in connection with which many representatives of the Muslim world do not recognize and even oppose this line of sportswear and shoes.

Nike is controversial in the Muslim world over its logo

Nike logo - symbol of idolatry

For the first time, shoes with a branded check mark appeared on the market in 1972, after which the emblem was somewhat changed, but it was not significantly corrected. Originally, designer Carolyn Davidson designed the Nike swoosh as a symbol of victory, drawing from the wing of the ancient Greek goddess Nike. According to his idea, this symbol was supposed to inspire athletes to high achievements in sports.

Nika - the ancient Greek goddess of victory

In the Muslim world, the Nike logo is perceived directly as a symbol of militancy and glorification of the goddess Nike. According to this belief, a Muslim who puts on such shoes does not glorify Allah, but an idol from ancient times. Of course, this cannot be taken unequivocally, since a Muslim believer can choose Nike clothes or shoes not because he shares the militancy of the symbol, but because the product meets his needs. Many do not even think and do not know about the true meaning of the checkmark, so wearing or not wearing the products of this brand is everyone's business, since Allah lives in the heart of a true Muslim, and abstract symbolism cannot affect his views.

Nike Air max logo is the inverted spelling Allah

Not so long ago, the news thundered that the Nike Air max logo was the cause of an insult to the feelings of believers. The company received a complaint from a Muslim that the Air max logo on the sole of the sneaker is an insult to all Muslims. According to him, the collection's inverted logo resembles the Arabic spelling Allah, and placing such content on the sole of the shoe is an insult to him.

Nike Air max logo on outsole, upside-down to resemble Allah

The man has filed a petition banning the sale of any clothing bearing the Air max logo, which has already been signed by more than 10,000 people. However, the Nike representative claims that this is speculation and the company did not try to offend anyone, this inscription does not carry any additional meaning. The manufacturer did not recall the collection with the Air max emblem, in response to which many Muslims abandoned the products of this brand.

Video: why Muslims shouldn't wear Nike

There are two reasons why some Muslims are rejecting the products of the sportswear and footwear manufacturer Nike. In the first case, believers consider the company logo to be a symbol of idolatry of the ancient Greek goddess Nike. And in the second, they see an insult in the Air max emblem, which is printed on the sole of sneakers, as it resembles the Arabic spelling of the word "Allah".