Comments on: Roger Clemens and the Meaning of Life http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/ Discourses in the Intellectual Traditions, Political Situation, and Social Ethics of Muslim Life Wed, 23 May 2012 14:21:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Musa Maguire http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-14063 Musa Maguire Mon, 18 Feb 2008 03:44:38 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-14063 There is a certain ambiguity in how the word "deen" is used in this article. But given the overall message and context, I think it's clear that the author wasn't making takfeer on anyone who likes sports. It's perhaps a more poetic, metaphorical use of the word. For many Muslims, excessive sports fanaticism may be a vice, but for many people (here and around the world) who don't really believe in anything, sports are often their primary focus. Of course, sports are often tied up with nationalism, which is another "deen," or class, which can also have deen-like qualities. In the end, I don't think we have to nit pick about the choice of words. There is a certain ambiguity in how the word “deen” is used in this article. But given the overall message and context, I think it’s clear that the author wasn’t making takfeer on anyone who likes sports. It’s perhaps a more poetic, metaphorical use of the word.

For many Muslims, excessive sports fanaticism may be a vice, but for many people (here and around the world) who don’t really believe in anything, sports are often their primary focus. Of course, sports are often tied up with nationalism, which is another “deen,” or class, which can also have deen-like qualities.

In the end, I don’t think we have to nit pick about the choice of words.

]]> By: inexplicabletimelessness http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-14062 inexplicabletimelessness Mon, 18 Feb 2008 03:31:36 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-14062 "The above is batil." Agreed. It's a logical fallacy to believe that everything in life should be done in moderation. Sure, that would apply to many things. But how about killing someone? Or abusing drugs? Or cheating on exams? How about something most severe: Shirk, associating partners with your Creator? None of these things should be done in moderation. Relating it back to the original post (which mashallah is very good and hits home excellent points, no pun intended :) ) some people, from "Western" or "non-Western cultures" sometimes take things to extremes when adoring celebrities or players in different sports. They have turned it into their Deen or way of life when really, submission to Allah is the purpose of life for Muslims. Each and every act we do and every second we breathe, we hope that we are submitting to Allah by making our intentions sincere. “The above is batil.”

Agreed.

It’s a logical fallacy to believe that everything in life should be done in moderation. Sure, that would apply to many things. But how about killing someone? Or abusing drugs? Or cheating on exams? How about something most severe: Shirk, associating partners with your Creator? None of these things should be done in moderation.

Relating it back to the original post (which mashallah is very good and hits home excellent points, no pun intended :) ) some people, from “Western” or “non-Western cultures” sometimes take things to extremes when adoring celebrities or players in different sports. They have turned it into their Deen or way of life when really, submission to Allah is the purpose of life for Muslims. Each and every act we do and every second we breathe, we hope that we are submitting to Allah by making our intentions sincere.

]]> By: Malik http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-14059 Malik Mon, 18 Feb 2008 01:59:36 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-14059 Ahmed, How is moderation batil? Even though I am no longer a Muslim I always appreciated that one Muslim value was moderation. I thought all the Avrahamic faiths shared at least that. Ahmed,

How is moderation batil? Even though I am no longer a Muslim I always appreciated that one Muslim value was moderation.

I thought all the Avrahamic faiths shared at least that.

]]> By: BrotherD http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-14057 BrotherD Mon, 18 Feb 2008 01:23:34 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-14057 I think the author is correct that for many here in the US and really all over the world, sports is their Deen. I've of heard of people in Mexico, for example, that save their whole lives to be able to attend a soccer World Cup in a foreign country. To hear them describe it, it's as if that event is their Hajj. This phenomenon is not limited to sports, nor is it limited to a nationality or religion. I don't think we here in the US are guilty of this more than others, but we do generate much of the entertainment that is consumed by us and the rest of the world (music,movies, etc.). I think the author is correct that for many here in the US and really all over the world, sports is their Deen. I’ve of heard of people in Mexico, for example, that save their whole lives to be able to attend a soccer World Cup in a foreign country. To hear them describe it, it’s as if that event is their Hajj.

This phenomenon is not limited to sports, nor is it limited to a nationality or religion. I don’t think we here in the US are guilty of this more than others, but we do generate much of the entertainment that is consumed by us and the rest of the world (music,movies, etc.).

]]> By: Charles http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-14045 Charles Sun, 17 Feb 2008 18:55:06 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-14045 It would have been better to speak to Americans who love certain issues within entertainment and not start the article suggesting that Americans are far more concerned with Roger Clemens' steroid abuse. By not stating that 'some' are overly concerned with this paints a picture of all Americans being sports fanatics. There is a disclaimer which states "intent here is regarding those who take it to extremes". Are some Americans the only group of people attracted to sports figures or entertainment figures? I think not. And as Muslims we didn't go all out to chastize the youth who played and replayed Zidane's heading on Youtube and iphones. As a Muslim and as an American I see drug abuse as a problem in all societies, whether is on TV or on your block, a sports figure or otherwise. We are gravely mistaken to think sports in America consitutes deen. The author apparently believes in polarization. It would have been better to speak to Americans who love certain issues within entertainment and not start the article suggesting that Americans are far more concerned with Roger Clemens’ steroid abuse. By not stating that ‘some’ are overly concerned with this paints a picture of all Americans being sports fanatics. There is a disclaimer which states “intent here is regarding those who take it to extremes”. Are some Americans the only group of people attracted to sports figures or entertainment figures? I think not. And as Muslims we didn’t go all out to chastize the youth who played and replayed Zidane’s heading on Youtube and iphones. As a Muslim and as an American I see drug abuse as a problem in all societies, whether is on TV or on your block, a sports figure or otherwise. We are gravely mistaken to think sports in America consitutes deen. The author apparently believes in polarization.

]]> By: Ahmad AlFarsi http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-14029 Ahmad AlFarsi Sun, 17 Feb 2008 07:26:23 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-14029 <blockquote> Eating a moderate amount of food or a bit of wine is better than abstaining completely which is better than becoming a glutton or a drunk. And, of couse, a moderate amount of spirituality is better than none which is better than letting the worship of your god, gods, world spirit, animal spirit, or ancestors dictate every moment of your life. </blockquote> The above is batil.

Eating a moderate amount of food or a bit of wine is better than abstaining completely which is better than becoming a glutton or a drunk. And, of couse, a moderate amount of spirituality is better than none which is better than letting the worship of your god, gods, world spirit, animal spirit, or ancestors dictate every moment of your life.

The above is batil.

]]> By: AbdelRahman Murphy http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-13994 AbdelRahman Murphy Sat, 16 Feb 2008 20:38:02 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-13994 Nice article, you've materialized my thoughts in the past few days while listening to all the banter on ESPN radio during my morning commute to school. Nice article, you’ve materialized my thoughts in the past few days while listening to all the banter on ESPN radio during my morning commute to school.

]]> By: Malik http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-13979 Malik Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:25:31 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-13979 To quote Aristotle, a pre-Islamic philosopher of great wisdom, "Everything in moderation". If you meditate on these words you'll realize moderation should be the rule to every aspect of a person's life. Playing sports and enjoying others playing them moderately is better than abstaining completely which is better than becoming completely obsessed. Eating a moderate amount of food or a bit of wine is better than abstaining completely which is better than becoming a glutton or a drunk. And, of couse, a moderate amount of spirituality is better than none which is better than letting the worship of your god, gods, world spirit, animal spirit, or ancestors dictate every moment of your life. To quote Aristotle, a pre-Islamic philosopher of great wisdom, “Everything in moderation”. If you meditate on these words you’ll realize moderation should be the rule to every aspect of a person’s life. Playing sports and enjoying others playing them moderately is better than abstaining completely which is better than becoming completely obsessed. Eating a moderate amount of food or a bit of wine is better than abstaining completely which is better than becoming a glutton or a drunk. And, of couse, a moderate amount of spirituality is better than none which is better than letting the worship of your god, gods, world spirit, animal spirit, or ancestors dictate every moment of your life.

]]> By: ibnabeeomar http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-13967 ibnabeeomar Sat, 16 Feb 2008 05:27:42 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-13967 thank you mr. sportshalaqah.com ;) thank you mr. sportshalaqah.com ;)

]]> By: MR http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-13965 MR Sat, 16 Feb 2008 05:10:24 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/15/roger-clemens-and-the-meaning-of-life/#comment-13965 Deen first, then sports. That's the way it should be. Deen first, then sports.

That’s the way it should be.

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