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Senegalese Could Observe Prayer, Yet Not Miss The Opening Match
By
Angy Ghannam, IOL Cairo Staff
DAKAR,
June 1 (IslamOnline) – The first match in the World Cup tournament
Friday, May 31, 2002, between France and Senegal, where 92% of the
population are Muslims, started almost immediately after the time of
Friday prayers.
The
Imam of the Grand Mosque in Dakar, La Grande Mosqueé de Dakar, told
the few people that came to the mosque that he understood why many
people did not show up for the prayer and went to watch the game
instead.
He
said that supporting the Senegal national team is important for many
people, adding that sport in general is very important and beneficial
to people.
The
Grand Mosque, located in the capital city of Dakar, occupies an area
equivalent to two square city blocks. It was inaugurated by the late
King Hassan II in 1964.
World
Cup finals are to last till June 30, 2002. It may happen, as was the
case with the Senegalese, that the time of Friday Prayers coincides
with the time of an important match to some nations. From an Islamic
view, is it permissible for people in such an occasion to delay the
prayer, or make it shorter?
Basically,
Islam does not go against sport, rather encourages it. In advising his
followers to engage in many sports, the Prophet, peace and blessings
be upon him, says; “A strong believer is better and more beloved to
Allah than a weak one while both are good”.
Thus,
it is clear that Islam lays emphasis on practicing sports, not just
watching them, this is one point. The second point is that religious
observances, in Islam, are divinely established with appointed times
and they are to be given due consideration.
Touching
upon the concept of moderation and easiness in Islam, Professor of the
Exegesis of the Qur’an, Al-Azhar Univ., Dr. Abdus-Sattar Fatahallah,
answered the question saying, “Basically, it is an obvious sin to
delay Friday Prayer (the time of which begins at the pre-midday and
ends just before the time of `Asr Prayer) or Congregational Prayer
from its due time. However, for the sake of making matters easy for
people and for the sake of preserving the unity among Muslims, it’s
allowed for the Imam of a mosque (only in case of an extreme
necessity) to delay performing Friday Prayer for about one or two
hours (within its stipulated time) in a way that does not imply
neglecting the prayer completely or performing it after its due
time.”
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