From Qaradawi to Algerians and Egyptians: Extinguish fire kindled by Satan!
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Dear brothers in Egypt and Algeria,
I write to you these words while my heart is bleeding and aching.
During the past period, I have been to China and have been totally disconnected from the events in the Arab world. Actually, I have read no Arabic newspaper and watched no Arabic channel. On coming back, I was surprised to be informed of the deteriorating situation caused by the result of a soccer game between two sister countries. I was also surprised because of the illogical and subjective way of escalating the situation by mass media. In fact, they made use of exaggeration and twisted the truth, which is harmful to both national and Islamic interests. I think it only targeted kindling fire, sowing the seeds of discord and reviving Jahili (pre-Islamic) tribalism that was abolished by Islamic faith and brotherhood. Astonishingly enough, I was told that Egyptians living in Algeria are living in terror finding no safe place for themselves, their families and children. Moreover, some companies froze their activities and sent their employees back to Egypt.
I view it strange on the part of the descendants of martyrs, grandsons of Prince Abdul-Qadir, disciples of Ibn Badis and Al-Bashir Al-Ibrahimi to assault their guests, who are, in reality, their brothers, bearing in mind that some of them have no in interest in football.
Moreover, it is scaring to imagine how catastrophic that which will happen after the Khartoum game in case such wind of enmity, grudge and blind tribalism continues to blow. (Actually, the article was written just before the Khartoum game.) I wonder whether we returned to the Pre-Islamic eras during which long-term wars were fought because of a camel or horse, such as Al-Basus, Dahis wal-Ghabra' wars! During such a period, an Arab poet said:
And we sometimes fight our brother Bakr in case we find no other enemy!
Dear brothers in Egypt and Algeria,
Why don't you enjoy Arabic, Islamic and athletic spirit. I wonder why do not feel as Arabs who like for their brothers what they like for themselves and even give priority to their brothers over themselves! The correct situation is that the winning team should wish good luck for the defeated team and say that it is an Arabic team that won either way.
In the past, an Arab, whose brother is killed by his people, said:
As my brother is killed by my own people, the arrow I throw at them will hurt me!
Thus, if I pardon them, I will be forgiving a grave sin! And if I fight against them, I will be breaking my own bones!
Another poet said:
If they endeavor my flesh, I will not do the same. And if they encroach upon my glory, I will celebrate their glory!
I never accumulate ancient grudge, for a great person never bears grudge!
This is how the Arabic spirit is great. However, much greater is the Islamic spirit that unite all Muslims under the tie of faith and Islamic brotherhood. Allah said, "The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion)." [Al-Hujurat, 10]. Thus, an Algerian is a brother of an Egyptian and vice versa. Both peoples are connected to each other through the tie of faith and the Qur'an and their hearts are united thanks to Islam. In this regard, Allah said, "so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islamic Faith)." [Al 'Imran, 103].
Actually, your game competitor is not Sharon or Barack. Rather, he is a brother of you who directs toward the same Qiblah (direction of prayer) and believes as you in Allah as his Lord, in Islam as his religion and in Muhammad as his Prophet.
In fact, Islam has nothing to do with such blind tribalism. To this effect, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "He is not one us who calls for `Asabiyyah, (nationalism/tribalism), who fights for `Asabiyyah or who dies for `Asabiyyah."
Apart from Arabic and Islamic spirit, we have to be characterized by athletic spirit entailing that a true athletic is one who shakes hands with competitors regardless of being victorious or defeated. Actually, this is the nature of sports games; struggle should never come to an end, for one who wins today might be defeated tomorrow.
I feel sorry for my people who overestimate that simple competition deeming it as if a fateful issue and who became a laughingstock for Israeli newspapers and mass media. In fact, they now mock us and rejoice at our misfortune ridiculing united Arabs! Some of them even wondered how Arabs are so heedless that they send their peoples to football playgrounds rather than employing those unemployed or feed those hungry!
Unfortunately enough, some officials, affected by the furious feelings of fans, were motivated to say words that should never be said and to do things that should have never been done. We now live a state of fury each person adding feul to the fire. Actually, sush fire wil not endeavor only one of the two teams but will endeavor and wreak havoc on everybody. Actually, there will be a third triumphant party, neither Egypt nor Algeria, that is Israel, which watches us carefully and rejoices over the great battle in which Arabs detsroy each other.
I call upon the man whose friendship I appreciate, bold president Abdul Aziz Boutafliqa, to proceed to put a wise end to the problem whose seeds were sown by Satan between brothers. I also adjure him to seek the help of reasonable Algerians to settle the dispute regardless of results. By doing so, he will attain Divine Satisfaction and reasonable people's praise and will ward off his people from evil consequences which will be beneficial only to the enemies of Arabs and Muslims.
Dear brothers in Egypt and Algeria,
We are not fighting the battle of Badr, Hittin or 'Ain Jalut.
It is no more than a football game qualifying to the first stage of World Cup. I see it is by no means likely that we reach final stages based on our past participations in previous universal competitions.
Suppose that we are qualified to, or even win, the World Cup, will this admit us to Paradise or keep us away from Hellfire?
No matter what the result of this game may be, it is unlawful for us to dispute and fight for it.
Another question, will qualifying to the World Cup achieve the objectives of the winning country or solve its economical and social problems? I swear by Allah, it will not!
Dear brothers in Egypt and Algeria,
You share a glorious history, during one of whose stages you were united in face of a common enemy, a stage in which Algeria sacrificed million martyrs in the battle of freedom being militarily, informatively and politically backed by Egypt.
When Algeria wished to be completely independent through the Arabization of education, Egyptians were the Arabizing brigades. I think Algerians can never forget the role of such Egyptian Sheikhs who had a role in the intellectual liberation and religious enlightenment of Algeria as Sheikh Al-Sha'rawi and Sheikh Al-Ghazali.
Dear brothers in Egypt and Algeria,
Football does not belong to necessities (darurat) or needs (hajat) which are additional needs which supplement the primary purposes. Rather, it belongs to complementary purposes (tahsinat). Suffice it to know it is a game to be played in a "playground". Thus said, if it results in neglecting necessities, i.e. through severing national unity and faith brotherhood ties and violating prohibitions, it would be better to ban the football activity and remain united.
I wonder why rulers and Muslim scholars do not undertake their responsibilities. Do you agree on such a tragedy and farce? Actually, this is the situation of some of them. How shameful and stupid that scholars follow the steps of masses and take part in such a calamity. In fact, our scholars would ask Allah to safeguard them away from the evil of trials whether open or secret.
Dear brothers in Egypt and Algeria,
In my name and in the name of all Muslim scholars all over the world, I call upon you not to let our enemies rejoice over our calamities. Dear brothers, do not forget that you are Muslims and that you worship Allah alone Who enjoined you to worship Him. Therefore, do not take football as an idol whom you associate in worship with Allah. Moreover, safeguard your brothers and yourselves, bearing in mind the Ayah (Qur'anic verse) that reads, " Truly! This, your Ummah [Sharia or religion (Islamic Monotheism)] is one religion, and I am your Lord, therefore worship Me (Alone)." [Al-Anbia', 92].
Have not I conveyed the message? O Allah! Be witness!
For the Arabic article, click the link below:
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