Bismillahir Rahmaanir
Raheem
[This article
was prepared before the World Cup 2010,
which was hosted
by South Africa. The advices relate and apply to all sports events, which are
in conflict with Islamic teachings.]
The hype and talk presently is the
World Cup. Soccer-mania has gripped the mind, the heart, the speech, the time
and the money of many, many Muslims.
And these many, many Muslims
argue: “It’s ONCE IN A LIFETIME…We are the HOST country … It’s the World Cup
which cannot be missed at any cost…”.
And we naively believe that these
reasons give us the go-ahead to support, promote and participate.
But there is one serious fact that
makes us unsuitable and incompatible for what I would describe as
an International “upsurge of sins” – and that reason is: We are Muslims. And we are very
fortunate that we are Muslims. As such, there is no compatibility between a
Muslim and sin.
Let us discuss why we, as Muslims,
cannot and should not align ourselves to the World Cup and other such sporting
events.
Let us read with
an open heart and mind.
REASONS WHY MUSLIMS SHOULD NOT ATTEND AND
NOT SUPPORT THE WORLD CUP:
1.)
SALAAH
It is a common observance, that
many, many Muslims are totally neglectful of Salaah when it comes to
International, National or local sporting events.
Even those who have some link with
the Masaajid, will choose to forego Salaah in Jamaat and even the Salaah
itself, so as not to miss a moment in watching men run after a ball. Men,
running after a ball – Is this intelligent?
Let us relate this to real life
and the inevitable: How will this benefit us in this world and the hereafter?
Will any one of these sports players be able to intercede on our behalf, before
Allah Ta’ala, when we have to account for our actions, for our indulgence in
futile and even Haraam activities?
Our Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “…Do not forgo Salaah
intentionally, lest you should get out of the fold of Islam. Do not perpetrate
disobedience to Allah, lest you deserve His Wrath…”
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) also said: “The dividing line between Kufr and Imaan is Salaah.” And
: “A person who has missed one Salaah is like one who has lost all his
family and wealth.”
Just as we would be grief-stricken
at the loss of all of our beloved
family members and the loss of all
of our wealth, properties, and everything else, similarly should we grieve over
losing even ONE Salaah?
Those few who do
perform Salaah at the stadium or grounds, whilst the shouting, screaming,
music, drink and other sins are being engaged in simultaneously, should think
for themselves of what a display of hypocrisy they make. Because that is
exactly what it is: Hypocrisy.
2.)
HERO-WORSHIPPING
Allah Ta’ala
mentions in the Qur`aan Shareef, in Surah Munafiqoon:
“But honour belongs to Allah, His Messenger and the Believers...”
[Surah Munafiqoon 63 : 8]
And in Surah An-Nisaa:
‘…To those who take for friends unbelievers
rather than Believers: is it honour they seek among them? Nay, - all honour is
with Allah.’
To deal honestly and truthfully with disbelievers or to assist the poor
and needy amongst them, are from the teachings of Islam.
However, to integrate with them
in such a manner, that we lose our Islamic identity or give up on our Islamic
culture is prohibited because this is extremely harmful to one’s Imaan.
Many have given up Imaan and Islam due to very close friendship and
relationship with those who do not believe in Allah Ta’ala, His Final Messenger
(Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) and the Day of Judgement.
…So we find
people going absolutely crazy and wild over soccer players, cricket players and
their likes. And one wonders, what is all the clamour and fuss about...
when their “outstanding” achievement in life seems to be, kicking, throwing or
hitting a ball? Does this call for
hero-worship? Is this our shallow understanding of success as Muslims?
Do we not know that the most
successful of all people are the Ambiyaa and their followers? Are we even aware
of the tremendous successes of the Sahabah? They were MEN. And Brave Men. Their
history, their feats, their conquests drown out the thousands of insignificant
goals scored by soccer players.
In fact,
there cannot be any comparison and likeness. The lives of the Sahabah (رَضِىَ الله عَنْهُمْ) were
constructive and productive – for their Deen and Aakhirah, as well as for those
who emulate them. The lives of these players are destructive to their
hereafter, as well as for those who are obsessed with them and emulate them.
We should reflect over our obsession, veneration and craze of film-stars,
sport-stars and others who are presently the enemies of Allah Ta’ala. …A
warning has been sounded, directing us to make sincere Taubah.
Allah Ta’ala states in the Qur`aan Shareef:
‘O People of Imaan! Do not take
My enemies and your enemies as friends, inclining towards them with love.
Verily, they have rejected the truth which has come to you (from your Rabb)…’
[Surah
Mumtahina 60 : 1]
We seem to very easily forget that
we are Muslims and all Muslims have dangerous enemies: So whilst our enemies
shrewdly convince us to spend thousands of Rands, waste our energy and time on
useless, futile sports such as the World Cup and other sporting events, they
gleefully bomb, kill, rape, oppress and harass our brothers and
sisters in other parts of the world … but we are so intoxicated with World
Cups, cricket and soccer matches, that we don’t even know our enemies have
deceived us!
Have we not witnessed enough enmity in Occupied Palestine, in Pakistan,
Kashmir, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia and other parts of the
world? Those who were considered friends and companions were the first to
assault, kill, maim and even rape our Muslim brothers and sisters, for no other
reason than that they are Believers in Allah Ta’ala. …Have we not taken any
lesson? Have we not witnessed the blood of the Muslims flowing in Bosnia, like
rivers?
When we claim to have love for
Allah Ta’ala, how can we love these types of sporting events?
Allah Ta’ala advises us:
“O you who Believe! Take not for friends unbelievers
rather than Believers : do you wish to offer Allah and open proof against
yourselves?”
…In other words, we should not make the
unbelievers our bosom pals.
Once
again, it does not mean that we should not treat them with kindness, deal
honestly and assist when there is need. …However: Will participation and
support in the World Cup attract them towards Islam?
3.)
MUSIC
Almost every venue, event and
occasion today seems to demand “music” as part of the entertainment. As
Muslims, we know fully well, that music is not the “pleasure” of a true
believer because Nabi (Sallallaahu
‘alayhi wasallam) specifically mentioned that one
of his objectives was to destroy musical instruments.
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “My Rabb has commanded me to destroy all
musical instruments…” and also: “Music causes hypocrisy
to grow in the heart just as water causes crops to grow.”[1]
According to another Hadeeth of
Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi
wasallam): ‘Music is from shaytaan and
accommodating it in anyway is Nifaaq (hypocrisy).’
One of our pious elders (رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ) warned about the harms of music: “Beware of music because music reduces
modesty and shame, it increases lust and destroys one’s dignity and respect.
Its effect is like the effect of alcohol.”
Then, would it be morally correct for a MUSLIM to be present at an
event where music is ‘a must have’?
4.)
ALCOHOL
The Ahadith make mention : “Wine
is the gatherer of sin.”[2],
“Wine is the leader of all indecency and is from among the major sins…” [3]
Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) also said : “Abstain from
consuming wine, for verily it is the key to all evil.”[4]
Every person that is associated to
alcohol – be it the manufacturer, the one who transports, the one who sells,
buys or serves comes under the curse of Allah Ta’ala.[5]
And those who keep company and incline towards the transgressors have to
contend with the same consequences, for Allah Ta’ala warns us:
“And do not incline towards the wrongdoers,
lest the fire should catch you, and you have no supporters other than Allah,
then you should not be helped.”
[Surah Hud 11 : 113]
5.)
ZINA (ADULTERY / FORNICATION)
Allah Ta’ala says :
“And come not near to Zina. Verily it is a shameful
and evil path.”
[Surah Al- Isra 17 : 32]
It is a very
evident fact that these events promote Zina in abundance. Besides adultery of
the eyes which is also categorized as zina and which is very common at these
types of venues, with the indecent and revealing attire, there is actual zina
that is being promoted and advertised.
With the
thousands of prostitutes who are visiting our country and the thousands more
who are local – what else can be expected, except an escalation in adultery and
fornication and a much higher risk of very severe punishment descending... (May Allah Ta’ala protect us from His
punishment)
The summary and outline of various Ahaadeeth, is that
plague, poverty and diseases which were unheard of previously, earthquakes,
drought and destruction, birth of illegitimate children, and even escalation of
deaths will follow in the wake of adultery and immorality.
If a person commits adultery, then
the priceless and invaluable commodity of Imaan is removed from his body.
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiyalluhu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: ‘Allah
Ta’ala removes the Imaan of that person who drinks wine or engages in adultery
like how one of you removes his shirt from his head’.[6]
Then what will be the condition of
the person who dies whilst committing zina?
6.)
WASTAGE AND EXTRAVAGANCE
Allah Ta’ala states explicitly :
“…And do not squander recklessly. Surely,
squanderers are brothers to shayateen, and shaytaan is very ungrateful to his Lord.”
[Surah
Bani Israeel 17 : 26/27]
Spending R800 or R1000, whether
more or less, on one ticket – and we know many are spending much, much more, on
many tickets - is money wasted, and wastage and squandering are categorized as
sin in Islam – whether on that which is permissible or otherwise. Moreover, the sin is compounded when it is
being spent to view something at a place hosting a combination of evils.
Besides the tickets for the
various matches, much more money will be spent on travel and accommodation –
with airfares and rates going through the roof.
Consider how many loaves of bread,
how many litres of milk or necessities of life, could have been provided for thousands
who live below the bread line or thousands more who are in dire need of medical
assistance… How can we be so complacent when so many are without food, water,
electricity, medicine and other needs?
Doesn’t our Imaan and conscience trouble us in the
least?
Wastage and extravagance are a
cause of drought, high cost living and other forms of punishment, as drawn from
the Ahadeeth – and it is what we are seeing all around us.
7.)
DRESS
Islam has gifted us with a dress
code, which identifies us as Muslims – which makes us flag-bearers of Islam,
representatives of Nabi (Sallallaahu
‘alayhi wasallam) and Inviters to Islam. We have
been expressly forbidden from adopting any semblance with the cultural or
religious dressing style of people of other faiths..
By wearing soccer t-shirts, caps,
bags with the 2010 football logos clearly indicates our love and support for
the event and the culture. Nabi (Sallallaahu
‘alayhi wasallam) said: “The one who imitates
others is not of us.”[7] And:
“Whoever imitates a nation is from amongst
them.”[8]
We are the nation of Islam, and
should be rightly proud of our beautiful culture and dress because it is the
culture and dress of the greatest after Allah Ta’ala, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam). …It is the height of foolishness to exchange diamonds for stones.
8.)
MIXED GATHERINGS
The
disbelievers have no concept of segregation. They advocate mixed gatherings
because it facilitates more sins and immorality. It works in their favour
because there is easy gratification of sensual desires and sinful pleasures.
The Shari’ah
instructs us: ‘It is not permissible to be present in a gathering where
Allah Ta’ala is being disobeyed.’
THE PURPOSE OF CREATION AND OBJECTIVE OF LIFE
Allah Ta’ala mentions in the
Qur’aan Shareef:
“Do you then
think that we created you in jest and that you would not be brought back to us
(for an account)?”
[Surah Mu`minoon 23 :115]
Our purpose for being sent to this world is definitely not play and
amusement.
[Surah Ad-Dukhaan 44:38]
However, Allah Ta’ala and His
Rasul (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi
wasallam) do not deprive us of enjoyment and entertainment. The Shari’ah and
the Sunnah accommodate and give guidance
for a Muslim with regards to Halaal, permissible entertainment, humuor,
laughter, play and relaxation. However there is certainly no scope for events
that feature Haraam indulgences.
Moreover, deliberate and planned
sins do not feature in a Muslim’s life.
The reality of the “World Cup” and
other national and International sporting events, is that they are a dangerous
fusion of major sins.
And when sins increase and
multiply then we invite a punishment in proportion to that disobedience.
…Haven’t we taken lesson from Tsunamis, Gale-force winds, Hurricanes and
Earthquakes that left nothing but devastation in their wake? Are we immune to
such disaster? Are we safe from punishment?
It is reported that once Amr Ibn
Absa (رَضِىَ الله عَنْهُ) asked Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) which Hijrat
(migration) is the best and he said: “That you leave what your Lord
dislikes.”
One of our great Scholars had said
very aptly: “It baffles me to see a people who are advised to get their
provision and are called upon that the departure time is due, yet they sit down
playing.”
Our boarding passes were given to
us the moment we entered this world … and that boarding pass is for boarding
the flight of death. We have been informed and advised of the long journey
ahead and the much needed provision for the journey – but how strange, that we
choose to while away our time and accumulate nothing for what lies ahead.
As has been said: “The knife is
being sharpened, and the oven is being heated up, yet the ram is still eating
the fodder.”
The knife of death has been
sharpened, our graves have been selected and are waiting for us to take
residence in them. …Despite knowing this, we “graze” complacently in
disobedience – unconcerned that that knife is ready to strike us at any time.
Allah Ta’ala states :
“O People of Imaan! Save yourselves and your
families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones…”
[Surah At-Tahreem 66 : 6]
“Your (real) friends are (no less than) Allah, His Apostle,
and the (fellowship of) Believers, - those who establish regular prayers, and
regular charity, and they bow down humbly (in worship).
As for those who turn (for friendship) to Allah, His Rasul
and the (fellowship of) Believers – it is the fellowship of Allah that must
certainly triumph.”
[Surah Maa`idah 5 : 58/ 59]
Of course, all that has been stated will not go down
well with everyone. It is for those who want to be good ambassadors of Islam,
pleasing Allah Ta’ala and His Beloved Rasul (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).
This article is for my own reflection and an
invitation to my Muslim brothers and sisters to reflect with an open mind. I
make Dua that Allah Ta’ala protects me and the Ummah from all fitnah.
‘Whoever recommends and helps a good cause
becomes a partner therein; and whoever recommends and helps an evil cause
shares in its burden…’
[Surah
An-Nisaa 4 : 85]
by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh)
[1] Bayhaqi, Shu’ab al-Imaan
[2] Daylami
[3] Al Mu’jamul Kabir of Imam Tabarani (Rahmatullahi
‘alayh)
[4] Mustadrak Hakim
[5] Ibn Majah
[6] Mustadrak Hakim, vol.1 pg.
22
[7] Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2695
[8] Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 4027
