Sunday 29 June 2014

Which Team are You In?

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem



THE FITNAH OF WORLD CUP AND OTHER SPORTING EVENTS 

…FLEE TO ALLAH TA’ALA!


 By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)


We all know that there are certain snakes and scorpions which are extremely dangerous, and when they attack, their venom or sting causes great harm and can even lead to death. Lions, cheetahs and other wild animals attack, maim and kill. However, their harm is on the physical body – and the physical body must inevitably die. 


Then we have the snakes and scorpions and the wild animals that attack the soul and they attack the Imaan of the person. They sometimes maim and even kill the person’s Imaan and spirituality.


There is no doubt that the environment is a jungle of Fitnah and Fasaad : It is extremely dangerous, with its vicious Fitnahs.


And now we find ourselves in a period of time where we also have the missiles of Fitnah targeting the Imaan of the Muslims and bombs of Fitnah raining down upon the Muslims.


For those who want to restrain themselves and please Allah Ta’ala, these times are a real Jihaad because there are even those who are outwardly Deendaar but who advocate, promote and support these Fitnahs. 


On the outside, there is Deen, there is the garb of the pious – but the person is caught up in the same Fitnahs. So many watch on the television or go to those places… Young children have written or wives have written that the fathers or husbands, who are otherwise so Deendaar, forego their Salaah in Jamaat, or even their Salaah, because they are viewing the World Cup or the Cricket or the Rugby or other sport on television. Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi ra’jioon.


We all know that the World Cup is a tsunami of Fitnahs – It is an International upsurge of sins. What not takes place and happens at these events – and we lend ourselves to all of these sins. There is so much of Haraam, which is as clear as daylight – but we still justify our viewing and participation.


We should hang our heads in shame if we are projecting the image of piety to the world, but are obeying shaytaan in private. This is what is termed as hypocrisy; Nifaaq. It is the currency of the time. The person has two faces : A public face and a private face.


But we cannot hide our true selves from Allah Ta’ala.


In regard to the soccer matches, the young people will ask: “If we cannot attend and view the World Cup, what do we do?”


We have to find alternatives. There’s no other way.


We will not say that everyone must sit down in the Masjid, read Qur’aan Sharief, read Tasbeeh and do nothing else. …What is necessary and crucial is that the person runs from those environments of sinsWe have to distance ourselves from venues of sins. We have to run towards Allah Ta’ala:


  “…So flee to Allah…”
[Surah Adh-Dhāriyāt 51 : 50]


No doubt, this is a Jihad for many. But if we have love for Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), then we would make every effort to restrain ourselves from sins, knowing that sins will bring about a destruction of our Imaan and will displease Allah Ta’ala, and cause hurt and grief to the sensitive heart of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).


With this soccer mania and frenzy, where the majority are only talking about the different teams and players and the goals they scored, the condition of this team and that team. It is just soccer, soccer, football, football – all the time. …What a waste of precious time.


So here is a young person, who was, at one time, addicted to the same. He is being encouraged to join them. The person will feel pressurized. How is he going to restrain himself?


If he is seeking Allah Ta’ala’s Pleasures, he will have to flee from that company because it is temptation towards getting caught up in Fitnah. The person will have to make new friends – friends who will take him to the Masjid, who will talk of good things, move in the direction of good deeds.


So avoid the soccer company.


Talk, eat, drink – just don’t go to any home where people will be viewing those soccer matches. If ten of them are sitting and watching …then they will be dominant against one person.


They will be screaming and jumping and they will convince the person to join in … watching a group of adult men run after a ball. Is this intelligence? …Viewing adult men kicking a ball?


Stay away from the soccer supporters and addicts, otherwise they will pull you in.


As that poet said:

“Last night, the person went to advise those who were drinking in the bar,
but when he came out, he had a wobble in his walk.”


Keep yourself occupied with the permissible and Mubaah…


Company is extremely important. It is for these reasons that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “A person is on the Deen (way of life) of his friend, so every one of you should look at who he befriends.”[1] 


We need to be very, very careful and very cautious regarding who we mix with and integrate with.


…If a huge python is approaching us, and we can see it coming closer, will we remain where we are, or will we look for the nearest exit? Will we admire skin of the snake and go towards it, to touch and feel it?


In all those venues of sins, where filthy films are screened, or people are dancing and partying, drinking and committing other sins, if someone suddenly starts screaming: “Fire! Fire!”, then is everyone going to continue with the dance and the party and the sports? Or are they going to dash for the doors and exits?


If someone announces that there is a bomb in the area, in the vicinity and it has been activated, will the person remain there to see whether it is true or not?


We are so careful and cautious about our physical health and well-being, and the protection of our lives. There should also be caution and concern for our Imaan – to a far greater extent.


…So in this regard also, there is nothing better than to turn towards Allah Ta’ala and enjoy Sukoon (tranquillity) in life.


In the midst of Fitnah also, the person can enjoy Sukoon. Although so much Haraam is taking place, all around, but the condition of the person will be like the waterproof watch.


If a person dives deep down in the ocean, that watch, which is water-proof, will not be affected by the water, because water cannot enter that watch. Allah Ta’ala will make the person’s heart like that. All the madness and hubbub will not enter that heart, when that heart has been placed in the protection of Allah Ta’ala.


In this same football match, we can take some lesson. If the one side has scored two goals and there is still ten minutes to go till the final whistle, those players won’t relax. They won’t say: “We already have two goals, why must we worry?” They say: “Ten minutes to go - we don’t know what will happen in the ten minutes.”


In the ten minutes, anything can happen. The opposition can score more goals.


If it is a major match, of the kind that will be played in this World Cup - all teams are going to be alert and sharp, and will protect their goal. Even if they have scored two or three goals, but there are ten minutes to go, each team will go all-out until the final whistle is blown.


In a similar vein, the Mu’min has to be alert and sharp. He keeps a check that nafs and shaytaan are not attacking his Imaan, and he continues in the obedience of Allah Ta’ala, until the final whistle is blown – so to say – until death comes.


 “And serve you Lord, until there comes unto you the hour that is Certain (i.e. Death).”

[Surah Al-Hijr 15 : 99 ]


Like how those players protect their goal, so the Believer is the goalkeeper of his heart and he protects his heart. He does not allow shaytaan to infiltrate or gain the upper-hand, and this continues life-long.


Just a few days of Mujahada – and really, it is a few days. All these storms will soon pass – the days will fly. Thereafter, everything gets back to routine, and it will be then that people will realise the restlessness, the blunders that they have made, and the other kinds of problems they will then face.


And the government will also realise what it has done, and how much was wasted. The billions and billions that they could have used to build thousands of homes, and done so much else.


So this is my message: Don’t feel that it is an impossible to avoid. Don’t think: It cannot be avoided.


It is not that difficult. We avoid so many other things. Why can we not avoid this?


Look at the restlessness that these events bring - for the whole thirty days or thirty five days. May Allah Ta’ala save me, save you and protect the Ummah at large.


…Don’t look at what people are doing, and don’t argue and fight with others. So many are listing the “benefits” and “virtues” of the World Cup. …Allah Ta’ala’s Shaan is sometimes Jalaali, sometimes Jamaali. We don’t know which Shaan of Allah Ta’ala is focused when. Therefore, we have to be very, very careful and cautious.


Sometimes, a person believes: My Allah is extremely happy with me, because He is giving me plentiful to eat, and drink, and wear, and travel around. I have a good car, good home, and everything....But it could be Istidraaj – It could be that Allah Ta’ala gives everything, and in the midst of all the Haraam enjoyment, Allah Ta’ala seizes and punishes.


What will we earn of Deen and Aakhirah in all this time spent in these sporting events, in hours and hours, days and days watching men run after a ball - especially those, who will shuttle from this end to that end, this province to that province, and this stadium to that stadium? And after that, the discussions will centre around the same thing - 24 hours of the day - the person will be engaging in absolute futility.


‘Dunya’ is what makes the person forget Allah Ta’ala and in that forgetfulness and heedlessness, he wastes his time and chases after temporary pleasures.


Ghaflat (heedlessness) is the hen that lays the eggs of sins. 


Allah Ta’ala has given everybody intellect, intelligence - put it to use.


When anyone is engaged in uselessness and spends his hours and hours in this manner, it is a clear sign that Allah Ta’ala’s gaze of Rahmat has been turned away from this person.


Now can that person then enjoy peace of mind, contentment, satisfaction? Will he experience these blessings? Even plentiful of wealth will bring nothing but restlessness. It will be like the flood waters - which brings Bilharzia with it. Although the waters are plentiful, it carries sickness.


When we talk about the evils, we talk about it in general. We do not point a finger at any particular person, nor do we say or believe that he is going to go to Jahannam, or he will suffer the Azaab of Allah Ta’ala, because of whatever he does. We are not the Judge. Allah Ta’ala is. We have no right to make such deductions. We do not know when that person will make sincere Taubah from his sins, and become a Wali of Allah Ta’ala.


 “…Verily Allah loves those who repent…”
[Surah Al-Baqarah 2 : 222]


Yes, we can speak about general conditions and this is what we are doing, and we are doing so to warn and caution and fulfil the duty of Amr bil Ma’roof and Nahy anil Munkar.


In the Ahaadeeth, we find that Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) would say: “When people will do this…,” “When people will engage in this…,” “when people will engage in that…” - this will happen, that will happen, that will happen.


Of course, we must look at our weaknesses too. Whilst trying to take care of the spiritual needs of others, we must not forget our own spiritual needs.


So the message is this : Avoid the company that takes you away from Allah Ta’ala; avoid the venues, and avoid the updates in the media and on social networks, which will tempt you to join in. Flee from anything that opens the door to Allah Ta’ala’s displeasure. Keep the company of those who will take you closer to Allah Ta’ala and keep occupied in what is good and Mubaah (permissible).


May Allah Ta’ala grant us all the Taufeeq and understanding, and may Allah Ta’ala bless us with such love for Him that we don’t move in the direction of His Displeasure – and we work towards our meeting with Him.




[1] Abu Dawud / Tirmidhi