In some ways, international football matches are similar to homosexuality and adultery.
Protests in democracy also have some similarities in terms of their function in the modern system.
They act as a "release valve" or outlet for instincts which could threaten the status quo.
Protests in democracy also have some similarities in terms of their function in the modern system.
They act as a "release valve" or outlet for instincts which could threaten the status quo.
In democracy, the protest provides a controlled environment where people can vent frustrations about injustices, in addition to serving as a platform for making collective petitions.
If there is no outlet for this emotion, it can build up to dangerous levels.
If there is no outlet for this emotion, it can build up to dangerous levels.
Sporting events channel the collective urge to wage war and become dominant over enemies, which is part of human nature. This makes sports integral to the UN perennial religion whose aim is "world peace."
By "venting" this instinct, the actual urge to fight is mitigated.
By "venting" this instinct, the actual urge to fight is mitigated.
The UN religion uses sports to try to end war completely, which appears to be an improvement over the cycles of tribal wars which are fought purely for power and resources.
However, this really serves to protect and preserve existing hierarchies. It also leads to imbalances, since war serves an important demographic and psycho-social function for human societies.
Islam, by contrast, directs this energy toward the highest purpose.
Islam, by contrast, directs this energy toward the highest purpose.
This purpose, of course, is to elevate humanity toward fulfillment of their true purpose, which is to worship Allah, the Exalted.
In this way, we can understand nationalistic sporting events as functionally similar to adultery or homosexuality.
In this way, we can understand nationalistic sporting events as functionally similar to adultery or homosexuality.
Both homosexuality and adultery take a natural human instinct and direct it toward something vain (both in the sense of futility and egoism).
Islam directs this instinct toward the building of families and the preservation and improvement of the best community.
Islam directs this instinct toward the building of families and the preservation and improvement of the best community.
As with the case of abandoning war in favor of sports, homosexuality and adultery lead to demographic imbalances and social tension which corrodes the society much like acid corrodes metal or termites devour wood.
This is why the Prophet ﷺ when speaking about pastimes...
This is why the Prophet ﷺ when speaking about pastimes...
...recommended horse training and archery, because these pastimes feed directly into the noble purpose of jihad fi sabilillah.
As for *playing* football/soccer, as opposed to nationalist spectacles, one could argue this is beneficial as a good motivator for physical...
As for *playing* football/soccer, as opposed to nationalist spectacles, one could argue this is beneficial as a good motivator for physical...
...fitness and teamwork skills which could be applicable in jihad, but personally I think that this benefit is outweighed by the harm of resembling the kuffar and developing bonds with them through it, and there are many alternatives available.
Of course I'm not saying football/soccer is a sin on the level of adultery or homosexuality (although if we consider it as a tool for projecting Western influence and cultural hegemony, supporting it might be!)
Rather, I'm just pointing to the underlying logic of kufr.
Rather, I'm just pointing to the underlying logic of kufr.
That logic is directing the instincts with which Allah azza wa jal has created us away from the exalted and pure purposes defined by the sharia, and toward wasteful, idle pursuits that are gratifying, but ultimately harm our souls and distract us from our true purpose.
I'm very sorry if my words hurt my football/soccer loving brothers, but please recall the words of the Prophet ﷺ: "Surely, you will never leave something for the sake of Allah azza wa jal except that he will replace it for you with something better" [Musnad Ahmad 23074]
@threadreaderapp unroll
Loading suggestions...