Cleric’s thoughtless comment on Shami skipping Roza sparks debate
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A controversy erupted after Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami was seen drinking from a bottle on the field during a match against Australia, with a Muslim cleric’s thoughtless comment linking it to religious obligation triggering a debate that soon took on political and social dimensions, even as other scholars clarified that fasting was not compulsory for him during his tour.
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, the national president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, stated that Shami had committed a sin by not fasting during Ramzan, asserting that it was obligatory for all Muslims to adhere to Shariat and that intentionally skipping a fast made one a sinner.
His remarks, however, were countered by Islamic scholars and political leaders, who pointed out that religious laws provide exemptions for those who are travelling, reinforcing that Shami was well within his rights to defer his fast.
Mohammed Shami’s cousin, Mohammed Zaid, dismissed the cleric’s statement as ‘childish,’ explaining that Islam permits those on a journey to make up for missed fasts later. Similarly, Congress leader Shama Mohamed underlined the practical aspects of religious obligations, noting that Islam does not mandate fasting for those travelling and that exerting oneself in a physically demanding sport like cricket requires hydration.
Political reactions to the controversy varied, with BJP leader Amit Malviya accusing the Congress of hypocrisy, claiming that while the party criticised Indian captain Rohit Sharma, it remained silent on the cleric’s remarks against Shami.
Meanwhile, JKPC President Sajad Gani Lone distanced himself from the debate, asserting that matters of faith were between the individual and Allah and should not be subject to public scrutiny.
Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli, an executive member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, clarified that the Quran explicitly allows travellers to postpone fasting, asserting that nobody had the right to question Shami’s choice.