Islamic clerics and Indian cricketer Mohamed Shami have come under fire with one cleric, All India Muslim Jamaat president Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, taking a dig at Shami for not doing Roza during Ramzan. This incited controversy when the cleric went as far as to call Shami a criminal in the eyes of Shariat (Islamic law).
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi told a news agency that Roza breaking was a crime by not keeping Roza as Mohammed Shami has done so. He should not do this. To him Shariat is a criminal. “He is going to have to answer to God.” He insisted that fasting during Ramzan was a religious duty, and those who didn’t perform it for a valid reason were guilty in the Islamic system.
The cleric also elaborated on what he said, saying that Roza is obligatory upon all the healthy Muslims, and that fasting is a severe transgression. ‘The more it’s broadcasted out, as it will be, this public character inviting drinking water or other beverage at a cricket match sends completely wrong message to the community,’ he added specifically mentioning Shami, a well-known public figure.
Roza (fasting) is one of the compulsory duties. Then, a big criminal will become a criminal if no healthy man or woman observes Roza. Mohammed Shami is a famous cricket personality of India, who was seen drinking water from his water bottle during a match. People were watching him. When he plays, it also means that he is healthy. When he noticed Roza in such a condition, he did not take any water… It is a wrong message, Maulana Shahabuddin said.
The remarks have served to spark a discussion of the appropriateness of personal religious observances, the proper expectations of those in public life, and the proper balance between those efforts and the responsibilities of a professional. Shami or the Indian cricket board has not uttered a word so far in response to the cleric’s statement.
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