Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi | SabrangIndia News Related to Human Rights Wed, 19 Mar 2025 07:46:20 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://sabrangindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Favicon_0.png Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi | SabrangIndia 32 32 Mohammad Shami faces extremist’s backlash for prioritizing professional duty over religion https://sabrangindia.in/mohammad-shami-faces-extremists-backlash-for-prioritizing-professional-duty-over-religion/ Wed, 19 Mar 2025 07:46:20 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=40644 Amidst extremist backlash for prioritizing professional duty over religious observance, Mohammad Shami has remained steadfast, proving that his commitment to cricket and nation takes precedence. Attacked for drinking an energy drink during Ramadan and his daughter celebrating Holi, Shami has let his performance on the field speak louder than the critics

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]]> Mohammad Shami: a name etched in cricketing glory, now embroiled in a storm of religious controversy. Picture this: a national hero, celebrated for his blistering pace and match-winning spells, suddenly under fire for… drinking an energy drink during Ramadan.

From accusations of “grave sin” to his daughter’s Holi celebrations being deemed “illegal,” Shami’s dedication to his sport has ignited a fierce debate. A cleric and All India Muslim Jamaat president Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, labels him a “criminal,” while a government minister champions his right to choose. This isn’t just about cricket; it’s a clash of ideologies, a battleground where personal freedom collides with religious dogma. As Shami’s wickets tumble and his critics fume, one question echoes: in a nation of diverse faiths, can professional excellence truly triumph over narrow-minded extremism?

Razvi called Shami a criminal for not observing Roza

The controversy began on March 5, when a video emerged showing Shami drinking an energy drink during an India-Australia match in the UAE, despite it being the holy month of Ramadan. This led to strong criticism from Razvi, who accused Shami of committing a “grave sin” by not fasting. “One of the compulsory duties is ‘Roza’ (fasting)… If any healthy man or woman doesn’t observe ‘Roza’, they will be a big criminal,” he said in a video statement, reported Times of India

Razvi’s comments focused on Shami’s public visibility as a national icon, using his actions as a teaching moment. “If he is playing, it means he is healthy. In such a condition, he did not observe ‘Roza’ and even had water. This sends a wrong message among people.” For Razvi, Shami’s failure to fast was more than a personal matter; it became a public issue that he felt needed to be addressed.

According to The Indian Express, he added, “A famous cricket personality of India, Mohammed Shami, had water or some other beverage during a match. People were watching him. If he is playing, it means he is healthy. In such a condition, he did not observe ‘Roza’ and even had water and an energy drink… This sends a wrong message among the followers of Islam.”

This critique ignited a debate on the role of religious leaders in monitoring personal and public actions, especially when individuals in the limelight choose national commitment over religious observance. Shami’s choice to prioritize his professional responsibilities added another layer to the ongoing discussion.

Holi celebrations of Shami’s daughter are “illegal” and “against Shariat”: Razvi

The controversy took a new turn in March 2025 when Razvi turned his attention to Shami’s young daughter after a video surfaced of her celebrating the Hindu festival of Holi. Razvi deemed the act “illegal” and “against Shariat,” causing a media storm.

In his video, Razvi acknowledged the child’s age but made an important distinction. “If she plays Holi without understanding (it), then it is not a crime.” However, he added, “If she is sensible and still plays Holi, then it will be considered against Shariat.” This two-pronged argument emphasized Razvi’s belief that even young children must align their actions with religious doctrine, especially when the actions are publicized.

His comments did not stop at the child; they also extended to Shami and his family, urging them to prevent their children from participating in cultural practices that he considered incompatible with Islam. “Holi is a very big festival for Hindus but Muslims should avoid celebrating Holi,” Razvi stated. He continued, “If someone celebrates Holi even after knowing Shariat, it is a crime.”

Razvi also instructed Shami to urge his family members not to belittle Shariat, reported The Telegraph.

He also congratulated the Indian cricket team and Mohammad Shami for its recent victory in the ICC Champions Trophy. “I congratulate Team India’s captain, all the players, and Mohammad Shami from the bottom of my heart on their success,” he said.

MP Minister slams cleric’s objection to Shami’s daughter playing Holi

Madhya Pradesh Sports Minister Vishwas Sarang condemned cleric Shahabuddin Razvi’s remarks about Shami’s daughter celebrating Holi, writing to Shami to reassure him and his daughter not to be intimidated by ‘fundamentalists’ and ‘extremists.’ Sarang called Razvi’s statement extremist and detrimental to the country’s social harmony, warning that such politics would no longer be tolerated. He also accused the opposition Congress party of engaging in ‘appeasement politics.’

Sarang stated, ” Is desh mein kattarpanthi aur charanpanthi apni seemayein laangh rahe hain. Is desh me nafrat ki raajneeti nahin chalegi” (In this country, extremists and hate-mongers are crossing their limits. Hatred-driven politics will not succeed here… Cleric Shahabuddin Razvi’s statement is unacceptable, and such threats will not be tolerated.) reported the Free Press Journal.

Sarang demanded an immediate public apology from Razvi over the latter’s “objectionable” remarks, reported the Statesman

Razvi questioned AIMPLB for being allegedly hijacked by political interests

In a related development, Razvi recently criticized the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) for being hijacked by political interests. He lamented that the organization had strayed from its original mandate of addressing social issues within the Muslim community, instead becoming embroiled in political battles. His comments came amid protests related to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, further showcasing his desire to influence the discourse around religious and social matters, reported The Siasat Daily.

“The board now includes people affiliated with different political groups, whether in Parliament or other positions. Leaders from the Samajwadi Party, Congress, and even AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi hold influential positions within the Muslim Personal Law Board,” he stated.

He said that, “”It is clear that the Muslim Personal Law Board has been hijacked by politicians and political parties. This hijacking will prove to be disastrous for the real issues concerning Muslims,”

He also criticized the AIMPLB for organizing the protest during Ramadan, stating that such events should not take place in this sacred month and could be held at any other time of the year. He dismissed the AIMPLB’s claim that Muslims are unsafe in India, emphasizing that the Muslim community in the country is free to observe its religious practices, including Namaz, Roza, Haj, Zakat, processions, and Urs, without any obstruction. He accused the Muslim Personal Law Board of misleading Muslims in India.

Moreover, Razvi earlier expressed his support for the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024.

AIMPLB supports Shami, states he can skip Roza due to his tour

Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli, Executive Member of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board, spoke about Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami, saying, “It is mandatory for all Muslims to observe Roza, especially during the month of Ramadan. However, Allah has clearly stated in the Quran that if someone is traveling or unwell, they have the option to skip Roza. In Mohammed Shami’s case, since he is on a tour, he has the right not to observe it. No one has the authority to criticize him for this decision.”

Mohammad Shami’s performance in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has been nothing short of stellar, reinforcing his status as one of India’s premier fast bowlers. Returning from a year-long injury layoff, Shami shouldered the responsibility of leading India’s pace attack amidst Jasprit Bumrah’s absence. In the tournament, he claimed eight wickets across key matches, including a crucial spell in the semi-final against Australia, helping India secure a four-wicket victory and a spot in the final. His ability to deliver long spells with precision and swing has kept him among the top-ranked ODI bowlers internationally.

Amidst extremist backlash for drinking an energy drink during Ramadan and his daughter celebrating Holi, Shami faced unwarranted criticism for prioritising professional duty over religious observance. Yet, he remained unshaken, letting his on-field heroics—consistently dismantling batting line-ups—silence the detractors. Shami’s resilience exemplifies how true merit transcends narrow ideologies.

Related:

Why Quranic Principles Advocate Secular Democracy Over Theocracy? Part 1

‘No faith in the Muslim Personal Law Board’

On UCC, personal law reform & the politics of competitive communalism

 

 

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