Cricket Frenzy and the Fanaticism!

Among the things that you would find hard to escape, being in the sub-continent, is the game of Cricket! The passion for the game that the people of the Indian sub-continent have is something that can only be understood by observing the people when a match is on involving the national side or players. The enthusiasm and excitement reaches a high level during the Cricket World Cup. But, over the last few days it is escalating new heights and will probably reach its zenith as India and Pakistan get ready to face each other in a Semi-Final of the undergoing Cricket World Cup!

In a country like India, where Cricket is treated as a “religion” and players considered “divine”, media leaves no stone unturned to hype and sensationalize the cricket-coverage! For this particular match, media is already covering every bit possible, four-five days well in-advance of the actual match. From players and statistics to the venue, from ground-man to common-man every one and everything is getting the media attention. The thousands dead in Japan, the killing of hundreds in Libya and other such news now no more find any real-time on news channels and are mostly covered in one page or so in the newspapers.

The craze and frenzy among people for cricket in sub-continent in general and for this match in particular can be understood by news like “An Indian fan offered to trade his kidney for a ticket, Pak-born US citizen Mohd Bashiruddun Khan says he will "beg, borrow or buy".” – The Times of India; “Surgery Vs semi: Patients pick big game over knife” - MumbaiMirror etc. SubhanAllaah! What is wrong with people? So much, for a mere sport? A man is ready to sell his kidney to avail a ticket. People are lining up outside the venue since dawn uptill late night. People are asking doctors to postpone their surgeries because they do not want to miss the match!

People generally follow the media coverage up to the game very keenly, hence you find 'cricket experts and analysts' or as they call them, 'cricket-pundits' everywhere. Buses, trains, colleges, offices, every nook and corner; people are jubilant about the India-Pakistan match.

In the Quarter-Final stage, when India played Australia, the rates for an advertisement for a 10 sec slot was 12 lakh Indian Rupees, which for previous matches was around 3.5 lac Rupees. The excitement being generated among the mass for the game is being highly 'cashed-in'.

Along with the actual sport-news, other news in connection with the game includes the interest and involvement of film actors and politicians, suspected terrorist activities, the liked and disliked food of the players etc. All the spice and masala that you could think of, is being sprinkled, rather poured-in by the media to keep their viewership alive...

But how justified in this craze? How right is the frenzy? Most people actually do not play any sport what-so-ever; they merely 'enjoy' it on TV and then back it up with their critical analysis for the next few days. They would generally be glued to the TV sets for hours and hours, following every happening concerned with the game. Right from the pre-match panel discussion to each and every action of the game 'as it happens’ and the post-match analysis, followed by the news channel coverage leading up to their own expert-comments later on.

The Last Messenger of Allaah, Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) informed, that every individual will be asked about how they spent their time. How is it that the otherwise busy people, get so much time to follow every detail of the game? How much time is actually wasted with this close-following of the game! The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also advised to make use of free time before you get busy! How much important/pending work can be completed in the same time as that of a cricket match!

Many people take the game as a religion and cricketers as their ‘gods’. What a blasphemy! They equate someone like themselves, only because of their talent, to the One Who Created him and Gave him the talent. The Last Revelation of God, Qur’an, informs us:

“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allaah is Islam.” [al-Qur’an (3:19)]

“And whoever desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.” [al-Qur’an (3:85)]

Associating anyone with God Almighty is the most heinous and gravest sin, as informed:

“Indeed, Allaah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allaah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.” [al-Qur’an (4:48)]

And also,

“Indeed, Allaah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allaah has certainly gone far astray.” [al-Qur’an (4:116)]

There are others who see supporting a particular side as something patriotic or giving allegiance or something similar, which also is not appropriate.

All-in-all one needs to understand that being a couch potato and mere watching of the game, keeping aside important work is nothing but waste of time. At the end of the day, one team will win and the other will loose; both can’t be winners. The players, who play, earn money for it. Your ‘religiously’ following the game will make absolutely no difference to the result of the game, but yes it would hamper your time and productivity. One should benefit oneself by “playing” a sport that would boost his physical and mental being, instead of simply watching and adoring others.