Not fasting in the month of Ramadhaan on account of taking part in a soccer event
Q: The company I work for hosts a soccer event once a year for all African countries and this year the event falls in Ramadaan. They have tried their best to look for alternate dates but because there will be 700 participants they cannot get get accommodation at any other time. They are very concerned about the +/- 15 Muslim participants and the ruling regarding fasting for these travellers from Senegal and Ivory Coast.
Please can you advise on the correct ruling regarding exemption in this regard.
A: Fasting in the month of Ramadhaan is a fardh obligation upon a Muslim. It is not at all permissible for one not to fast in the month of Ramadhaan on account of taking part in a soccer event. Similarly, for a Muslim to host these types of events, especially in the month of Ramadhaan, is haraam and earns one the wrath of Allah Ta'ala.
Consider the many sins that take place at such events (e.g. imtermingling of sexes, drinking of wine, the event being televised, the kuffaar companies using these events to promote their haraam products as well as their haraam agendas, people not being dressed properly, etc), by a Muslim hosting such events, he will be promoting all these vices and evil in the blessed month of Ramadhaan. Just as the rewards of good deeds are multiplied in the month of Ramadhaan, the sins of evil deeds are also multiplied in this auspicious month. A Muslim should totally disassociate himself from such haraam.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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