Ramadan vs The World Cup
Ramadan vs the World Cup —Which Team Are You In? by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) The Finta of the World Cup and other sporting events We all know that certain snakes and scorpions 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, scorpions, and wild animals that attack the person’s soul and Imaan. 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 Fitnas. And now we find ourselves in a period 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 Deendar but who advocate, promote, and support these Fitnas. On the outside, there is Deen; there is the garb of the pious —but the person is caught up in the same Fitnas. So many watch on the television or go to those places. Young children or wives have written that the fathers or husbands, who are otherwise so Deendar, forego their Salaah in Jamaat or even forgo their Salaah because they are viewing the World Cup or the Cricket Rugby or any 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 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 Shaytan 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. Regarding the soccer matches, 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’an Sharif, read Tasbeeh and do nothing else. What is necessary and crucial is that the person runs from those environments of sins. We have to distance ourselves from venues of sins. We have to run towards Allah Ta’ala: “…So flee to Allah….” [Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:50] No doubt, this is a Jihad for many. But if we have love for Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), then we should make every effort to restrain ourselves from sins, knowing that sins will bring about a destruction of our Imaan will displease Allah Ta’ala and cause hurt and grief to the sensitive heart of Rasulullah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). With this soccer mania and frenzy, the majority are only talking about the different teams and players, the goals they scored, and 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 pressured. 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 a temptation to get caught up in Fitnah. The person will have to make new friends –friends who will take him to the Masjid, talk of good things, and 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, 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.” Keeping yourself occupied with the permissible and Mubaah company is extremely important. It is for these reasons that Rasulullah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “A person is on the Deen (way of life) of his friend, so every one of you should look at whom he befriends.”[1] We need to be very careful and cautious regarding whom 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 the snake’s skin 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 about