Short answer
No. No authentic hadith makes wrestling in the masjid a sunnah. The closest report is that some Abyssinians displayed their spear skills in the Prophet's ﷺ masjid on an Eid day, which scholars explained as training for defence. The Hanafi school protects the prayer hall from games and noise, so sport belongs outside it.
The masjid is to be kept for worship and protected from play, shouting and anything that may damage it or disturb worshippers; playing games in the prayer hall is makruh. Wrestling and sport are permissible in themselves with the awrah covered, and can be held in a masjid's gym or hall that is not part of the designated prayer area.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
The idea that wrestling in the masjid is sunnah has spread online, often as a joke. The report people have in mind is in Sahih al-Bukhari: Aisha said she watched, screened by the Prophet ﷺ, while the Abyssinians played with their spears in the masjid. Another narration says this was on a day of Eid. Scholars explained that this was a display of weapon skills, which was training for defending the Muslims, and that it showed the Prophet's ﷺ gentleness in letting people enjoy Eid. It is not a report about wrestling, and it does not make sport in the prayer hall a sunnah.
What the Hanafi scholars say:
- The masjid is built for prayer, dhikr, learning and the Quran. Raising voices, running about and games in the prayer area are disliked.
- Anything that might damage the masjid, dirty it, or disturb people praying should be avoided, at any time of day.
- Wrestling itself is a lawful sport. Wrestling is also reported from the early Muslims, and staying strong and fit is praised.
The modern masjid: many community centres have a gym, a sports hall or a youth room alongside the prayer hall. Only the area set aside as the masjid for prayer has the full rulings of a masjid. Sports, martial arts and games for young people in the other rooms are a good way to keep youth connected to the community. Keep them at times that do not clash with prayers, and keep the noise away from the prayer hall.
See what is not allowed in the masjid and bringing children to the mosque.
The evidence
Quran, Surah An-Noor 24:36
فِى بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ ٱللَّهُ أَن تُرْفَعَ وَيُذْكَرَ فِيهَا ٱسْمُهُۥ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ فِيهَا بِٱلْغُدُوِّ وَٱلْءَاصَالِ ﴿٣٦﴾
[Such niches are] in mosques which Allah has ordered to be raised and that His name be mentioned therein; exalting Him within them in the morning and the evenings
Masjids are raised for Allah's remembrance and are to be respected.
Sahih al-Bukhari 454
Sahih... يوما على باب حجرتي والحبشة يلعبون في المسجد ...
"Aisha said: I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ at the door of my room while the Abyssinians were playing in the masjid, and he screened me with his cloak as I watched."
The report behind the question: a display of spear skills, not wrestling.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Durr al-Mukhtar, Kitab al-Salah, chapter on what is disliked in the masjid. Raising voices and worldly activity in the masjid are disliked; it is to be kept for worship.
- Fath al-Bari (Ibn Hajar), Kitab al-Salah, chapter on the people with spears in the masjid. The Abyssinians' play was a display of weapon skills, which is training for jihad.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.