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Senegalese Can Observe Prayer, Yet Not Miss Opening Match
By
Angy Ghannam, IOL Cairo Bureau
DAKAR,
June 1 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) – The first match in the
World Cup 2002 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 prayers and went to watch the opening game
instead.
He
said that supporting the Senegal national team is important for many
people, and 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
Moroccan King Hassan II in 1964.
World
Cup 2002 finals are to last until June 30, 2002. Many Muslims realize
that as was the case with the Senegal-France match, the time of Friday
prayers may coincide with a match.
Regarding
this situation, Professor of the Exegesis of the Qura’n, Dr.
Abdus-Sattar Fatahallah, said, “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,” he added.
After
touching upon the concept of moderation and easiness in Islam, Dr.
Fatahallah concluded that, “Basically, it is an obvious sin to delay
Friday Prayer (Salatul-Jumu`ah) (the time of which begins at
pre-midday and ends just before the time of `Asr prayer) or
Congregational Prayer ( Salatul-Jama`ah) from its due time.
“However,
for the sake of making matters easy for people and for the sake of
preserving the unity among the 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. This is also to give due regard to
the importance of concentration in prayer.”
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