Mohammed Shami Comes Under Fire for Not Keeping Roza-Relatives and Religious Scholars Come to His Defense

Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami recently found himself in the middle of a controversy after he was criticized for failing to keep 'Roza' (fast) during the holy month of Ramzan. The 34-year-old bowler, who has been a vital member of India's cricketing team, was drinking an energy drink while watching India play the semi-final match against Australia at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This resulted in criticism from some religious leaders, with one cleric even calling him a "criminal" in the Shariat (Islamic law) sense. Though, his family members, a group of religious intellectuals, and some members of society have presented his defense with arguments that he need not be critiqued and politicized based on his move.

The Scandal-Shami Hailed as a "Criminal"  

Shri Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, the Head of All India Muslim Jamaat, set off this debate with condemnatory comments upon Shami. In his opinion, fasting during Ramzan is an essential obligation of Islam, and those who do not follow it, even if they are healthy, are criminals in Islamic law. He said that as Shami was capable enough to play cricket, he should have followed the fast like other faithful Muslims. The cleric underlined that the consumption of water or any other drink during fasting time was not proper, particularly for a public figure whose every move is under scrutiny by millions.

"Among the obligatory tasks in Islam is 'Roza' (fasting). If any healthy person fails to do so, he is guilty of a serious sin. Mohammed Shami, a well-known cricketer, was spotted consuming a drink during the match. This is a wrong precedent," said Maulana Bareilvi.

Family and Supporters Come Out Strongly

In response to the criticism, Shami's cousin Mumtaz came out strongly in support of the cricketer. He brushed aside the allegations, referring to them as "shameful" and reinforcing that Shami was working for his country on the international stage. "He is playing for India, and that should be the priority. There are a lot of Pakistani players who have not observed 'Roza' during matches, and this is not new. It is sad to hear such things being spoken about him. We will instruct Mohammed Shami not to give importance to such distractions and concentrate on his next match on March 9," Mumtaz said in an interview with ANI.

Shami's outstanding performance in the tournament also speaks volumes about his commitment to his game. During the semi-final encounter against Australia, he took figures of 3/48 in his 10-over spell, contributing heavily to India's win. His consistent performances have made him the second-highest wicket-taker in the current competition, with eight wickets in four matches at an average of 19.88.

Clerics Defend Shami's Right to Not Fast

While a few religious leaders condemned Shami, others defended him. Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board explained that Islam does permit leniency concerning fasting for people traveling or with heavy work to do. He quoted verses from the Quran that clearly mention that those who are ill or traveling have the option to delay their fasts and compensate later.

"It is obligatory on every Muslim to keep Roza, particularly in Ramzan. But Allah Himself has stated in the Quran that if one is traveling or falls ill, then one can leave fasting. In Shami's situation, he is on tour, so he has a reason not to keep Roza. No one has the right to question his belief or commitment towards religion," Maulana Mahli clarified.

In the same vein, Shia cleric Maulana Yasoob Abbas also denounced the controversy as unnecessary and politically motivated. "The remarks made by the Maulana of Bareilly are absolutely for cheap publicity. Where there is compulsion, there is no religion. Where there is religion, there is no compulsion. All Muslims know how much fasting is important, but if someone cannot do it, it is their individual concern and not that of the entire community. There are many who do not keep Roza due to many reasons; why target Shami?" he contended.

Realizing the Significance of Roza

Ramzan, which is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, is regarded as the most sacred time in Islam. It is a time when people seek to engage in introspection, self-control, and piety. One of the five principles of Islam is fasting from sunrise to sunset while observing 'Roza', where the Muslims do not consume anything until evening. The fast is supposed to create a sense of discipline, thankfulness, and intimacy with God. Islamic teachings also, however, take into consideration personal situations so that exemptions can be made for people who are ill, traveling, or in physically demanding situations.

The Bigger Picture-Sports and Religious Obligations

This is not the first instance of an athlete being questioned about religious responsibilities. In different sports, athletes have struggled to reconcile their work with religious observance. Several Muslim footballers, cricketers, and athletes have shared the dilemma of fasting during intense competition. Although others opt to fast irrespective of their timetables, others prefer to postpone their fasting or apply dispensations according to religious principles.

The case of Mohammed Shami raises a larger debate on personal choice, religion, and public opinion. While religious practices are intensely personal, public figures tend to attract unnecessary criticism over their personal choices. The controversy surrounding Shami's fasting should remind us that religion is a personal belief and should not be politicized or used to raise doubts about an individual's beliefs or commitments.

Conclusion-Respecting Individual Choices

As India prepares for its next pivotal game, Mohammed Shami is keen on his game alone and not on the controversy which haunts him. The strong backing of his family members, supporters, and sane religious experts supports the fact that personal religion and professional obligations cannot go together. Religious norms must be upheld, but they must not be utilized as tools to judge or defame an individual when their professional obligations involve excessive physical effort.

Ultimately, religion is a matter of individual choice, and as long as one's practices do not infringe on the rights of others, they should be free to practice (or not) as they choose. Mohammed Shami's on-field achievements for Indian cricket should be honored, not marred by spurious arguments about his own religious decisions.