First of all thank you for replying decently, there are hardly any decent replies on this forum and I appreciate your replies and the way you reply, otherwise there are lots of other friends who directly attack on one's beliefs or label an agent of some kind or even give a fatwa instead of answering (or trying to answer) the subject under discussion.
Mohtaram, regarding your comment that Namaz, Hajj etc are not personal deeds, I would only pose one question to you, why do you see that the societies who do not even know what is Namaz Hajj, zakat etc. are so tolerant, peaceful and socially on another level as compared to, lets say for example, Pakistan where every second person seems to be very religious, where people are intolerant and very bigoted when it comes to social norms and beliefs. I do believe that if these deeds are performed with right beliefs, these might be helpful for making us a better human, but purely doing it for the sake of performing as a duty, will never bring any change, either as an individual nor as a society. My point is very simple, are these deeds a duty (as molvis will say a Farz) for us? Or we should perform these deeds only as a helping act to strengthen our already developed good beliefs in humanity and morals for the society we live in. And for that we need people to be satisfied, people to be educated with an open mind where they can pose any kind of questions coming in their minds and can discuss socio-religio issues without any fear. Only healthy and constructive discussions can evolve our society and beliefs. I accept that Quran is the last word of our Creator but how to interpret is still left on us and how to implement its teachings in our present scenario is what we need to discuss.
To my understanding, Islam is meant to be an ever lasting religion and reason behind that can only be one, that it adaptable according to every age and day. Which in turn means that there is only a certain and very limited set of basic few beliefs which are to be safeguarded and everything else is to be customized according to our times and society.
The discussion began with Cricket tournament and now here comes the point to what I said above, in this era, we have our own sports, our own cultural and technological changes which were not present some 500 years ago. So one cannot say that we should be thinking in terms of same entertainment concepts as 500/600 years ago.
Asslam-u-Alaikum,
Jazak'Allah Khair and gald to learn your understanding about Islam, now lets move to your question.
My Dear Brother,
Before i even try i believe you've already, in a very descriptive way, answered the question but i'll still add more info to this message.
Here i would like to start with:
Para-30: Chapter 96, Surah: Al-Alaq
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
"Read: In the name of thy Lord Who createth, (1) Createth man from a clot. (2) Read: And thy Lord is the Most Bounteous, (3) Who teacheth by the pen, (4) Teacheth man that which he knew not. (5)"
Above mentioned Ayats were the first revelation received by Prophet Muhammed Rasool Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) and the first word is IQRA (READ) which was repeated by Jibreel (AS) 3 times.
Jibreel Says: IQRA (Read)
Rasool Allah Says: Ma Ana bi Qari (I'm not learned)
Jibreel Repeats: IQRA (Read)
Rasool Allah Repeats: Ma Ana bi Qari (I'm not learned)
Jibreel Says: IQRA .... Then complete Ayat
Rasool Allah: Understood and recited behind Jibreel
Thats how it began.
Allah subhan-w-Taala stressed on reading and we are all aware about the Muslims scientists, Mathematician and Geologist and all this knowledge came from study and reading. I'll cut short the whole discussion in the western society the people who respect rights of others are all educated. The uneducated among them are same as ours, regardless of whatever is their belief. The only difference between them and us is we believe in many laws of west as sin and for sure these actions corrupt the society.
Example:
-Having relation without marriage (this sin corrupt whole society from roots)
-Interest (rebah, Sood) is common and almost each individual is part of it (this Interest destroys the whole financial system of society)
-Drinking liquer is permissibly by law, even though many of their families separated just because of this
There is long list of problems which they are facing now a days but above is norm in their society and allow by law. This is the reason suicide rate is very high in their society. When one has no goal in his life then everyone will live his personal life. Just last week I heard on BBC that people took divorce just because both husband and wife like different food and they cannot tolerate it any more.
I believe; when I change myself then the whole society will change, unfortunately I'm unable to change myself and I'm blaming my surrounding. I'm part of the society and each one of us needs to change ourselves for betterment.
We need to understand what is a religion, the religion is a way of life Allah Subhan-w-Taala sent +- 124,000 Prophets just to convey the message Allah is only GOD and worship Allah, second they taught the way of life as per their times. Islam as the last religion 1st message is same Allah is only GOD and worship Allah, second there are new set rules (Laws) which each one has to follow in order to establish peaceful society (which unfortunately we are not following) and there is law in Islam which a common man can perform with any difficulty. With regards to current time there are many things which are, with very well planing, planted in our Muslim society for destroying the roots of Islam and we need to stay away from them.
I would like to give you a very good example of an action which is compulsory for all Muslim Men/Women:
Salah - Namaz:
We need to pray Namaz while standing (for men in masjid and for women at home)
if a man cannot go to masjid for some valid reason he can perform at home
If one can't stand then we can sit
if one can't sit then we can lay down
if one can't even perform while laying down then just by signs we can perform
is there any other religion which offers such freedom? same is for Roza, Zakat and Hajj
Issues of Current age:
Q-Do we need women in Jobs?
A-Yes; we need them in Medical, Education, Security
Q-Can a woman take driving license?
A-Yes she needs it and its necessary because when they perform job they have to travel by them-self.
Q-Do all women needs to perform Job?
A-No; only a limited number of women is required for perform certain activities
Q-Is it better that a family must be raised by a Mother?
A-Yes; No father can raise their family as a mother does
Above a very few but major issues our society which I tried to address.
Now the last portion but before that I would like to mention a Saheeh Hadeeth from Bukhari:
One Sahabi said I'll never sleep at night and will spend my whole life while performing prayer at night
Second Sahabi said I'll ever get marry and will spend my while life without a women
Third Sahabi said I'll always spend my day while I'm fasting
When Muhammad Rasool Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) learned about those Sahaba's he called them and told them none of your action is best but if you follow my sunnah.
I pray at night and sleep too
I marry and stay away from my wife too
I fast and spend my days without fasting
So among you is best who follow my sunnah.
As we started from sports of current time but we end up in this fruitful discussion, Alhumdulilah i've learned things from you, but we my reason for cricket is we love cricket more than anything, i saw people sitting in jumah and with signs they asked about current situation of cricket match. I saw people standing out side of masjid and listening to commentary of cricket but not he khutba, once khutba is over they run in to offer the prayer only. I say people discussing cricket at the funeral, hence we love cricket more than anything, we need to understand such obsession is not good. Anyhow there is no sin in playing a sport or watching at the time of Muslims there sward fight, bow and arrows, horse ridding...etc but now its cricket, football.....etc as I said in my initial message we just almost had a war few weeks back we need to prepare ourselves for that too.
From My side this is last message of this discussion
Thank you so much for your patience and support.
End Discussion