Don't Flaunt Your Fasting And Frown Upon Those Who Don't Fast
By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
8 March 2025
Cricketer Mohammed Shami was criticised by a Muslim cleric for not observing a fast during India's semi-final match against Australia on Tuesday. The match took place during the ongoing holy month of Ramzan, which is observed by Muslims as a period of fasting. Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi called Shami a "criminal" for skipping the fast, stating that it was a sin and went against religious principles. By the way, the Indian bowling attack restricted Australia to 264 and Shami took three wickets in his quota of 10 overs, giving away just 48 runs. India won the crucial match.
(Rezedaar, from Files)
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Fasting is a personal thing and a very private choice of an individual regardless of his or her faith. If in the month of Ramzan, a Muslim feels thirsty while playing in the hot and humid climate of Dubai or anywhere else, why shouldn't he quench his thirst? Why should Allah be angry with him?
If one fasts during Ramzan or any other religious occasion of any damn faith, it's his or her preference and decision. But the problem with most of the Rozedaars (those who observe fasts during Ramzan) is their condescending attitude towards those who don't fast.
Let an individual skip fasts if he's not interested. Why should you bother and condemn him? There's a famous adage in Hindi, Tuhje Parayee Kya Padi, Apni Nabed Tu. Let him invite the wrath of Allah if Allah is so fussy about all these petty man-made customs and rituals.
Nowadays, this tendency to flaunt one's piety has become a fashion. Not just Muslims, Hindus and Jains also do the same. They fast and frown upon those who don't. People's religiosity has become a commodity.
Earlier, it was only Islam but now all faiths are too obsessed with fringe customs and peripheral rituals. No one seems to be bothered about the kernel of a faith and its core values. They think that fasting and fainting will please Allah, god or Arihant. We're condemning those who don't wear their faith on their sleeves.
Absolute tripe is going on. This is a worrisome trend. Someone rightly said, "Ab Log Tay Karne Lage Hain Ki Aap Kitne Paarsaa Hain" (Now people have begun to decide your level of piety).
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A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/flaunt-fasting-frown-fast/d/134810
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