Sporting Spirituality : Squash

Bismillah.

( note: this article should be useful even if you don't play squash)

After a 2 month lay off ( re: ankle injury), alhamdaulillah, I am back on the squash court again ( though I bruised my forehead today! there is a ball mark on it!).

I have been reflecting on what I should be thinking at each moment ( as a Muslim) on the squash court. Because essentially, the events on a squash court do represent what life is all about. Its about trails and tribulations-and how well you deal with them. And if you are a true Momin, if you are a true Muslim and if you are a true Mohsin, you should know that success or failure in those trails and tribulations will only bring you closer to Allah SWT.

Of course by stating the following I make no claim to be doing what I am saying, but in fact I am saying what I should be doing and also pointing to the reality of what I don't do. May Allah help me realize what I say. Allahumma Ameen

Shukr:
Well, recently when I re-entered the squash court after a long lay off, I realized how much I had been missing and how ungrateful I had been about playing the game. The game is good physical exercise, helps one sleep better and also a great stress reliever. So the first state when one enters the squash court should be one of thankfulness to Allah for giving us the ability of playing squash.

Intentions and Goals:
When one enters the squash court, one should be clear as to what one's intention is. Your intention in all permissible actions should ( ideally) be that it is for the sake of Allah. Why is it for the sake of Allah? How can you intend that? Well that intention is related to your goal. The goal is to get fit, that one sleeps better and ultimately the goal is that one does all of this so one can worship ALlah better. So goals and intenetions for playing squash, are both that you do it for whom?You do it for Allah.

Kibr/Pride:
You might enter the court and already think your better then your opponent. While it is good to have confidence, the confidence should not be expressed in a derogatory way ( even internally) to your opponent but know that all ability you have is due to Allah SWT and he could take that ability away form you at any moment so you better be thankful for it and also not be proud of it because that ability is not yours. It is a gift from Allah. And what is the best way to express thanks for a gift. It is by not saying Alhamdaulillah wa shukrillah verbally but also to use the gift to the best of one's ability while not looking down at others because of it.

Hasad/Envy:
On the contrary the other player could be better then you. However you do not enter the court thinking that he is better because of himself . In fact, you know it is Allah who has given him this gift. Instead of asking Allah to decrease him, you ask Allah to increase you, so you can compete with him for His sake.

Rida/Contentment:
Once you start the game, you should be content with the general proceedings of things. As in: you should be regretful for past points and games. Things happen for a reason and if you lost a point, your job is to move on ( after learning form your mistake) but not to negatively lament at your fortune.

Leave that which does not concern you:
Your opponent will try his best. You watch out for him but you dont watch out for him to the extent that you lose focus of what your doing yourself. You keep playing and only focus on the other player to the extent that it affects you.

Dhikr:
There are many opportunities before, during and after game where you can make numerous dhikrs. It can be a simple as a Bismilah. Or it can be Alhamdaulillah after a great shot. Or it can Subhanallah after a great shot by your opponent.

More Shukr:
No matter what part of the game we are in, we should make sure that we are in a state of thankfulness. Know that even being on the court is a blessing. And playing a game and being able to exercise is a blessing. In a few years you will struggle to walk. So make use of your time and resources the best you can for His sake and be thankful for everything that you have so that he may reward you and increase you.

Dua:
If you lose a point or if you want something to happen in the match. You might have a strategy to achieve what you want to achieve i.e. the means. However, it is important that you precede the strategy or plan with dua and sustain it with dua and end it with dua. The one who makes dua knows that its a win win situation. At the very least Inshah Allah you will be reward in the hereafter for just making a dua!

Tawakul/trust in Allah:
While taking the means, make sure that you trust in Allah and not in your ability. What was meant to miss could not have hit and what was meant to miss could not have hit. Your job is to hit the squash ball and try your best, the rest is all upto Allah. You will see sometimes you or your opponent will get lucky bounces or breaks. That is by the will of Allah like everything else that happens on the court. So don't be over awed, no matter what happens. Trust in Allah!


End Result:
Don't be haughty if you win. Know that it is Allah who bestowed you with the win. He could make you lose all your ability at the very moment you display your pride. It is he who gave you the ability so thank Him and thank Him for letting you thank Him. Thank your opponent for giving you a good game because it takes two to play a squash game and who so ever has not thanked people has not thanked Allah.

On the other hand, Don't be distraught if you lose. Instead take lessons from your loss and know that at the very least you will be rewarded for your noble intention and noble aims/goals. . Don't be bitter and go congratulate your opponent for a good game. Moreover, Inshahallah make dua that you get more chances. Inshaha Allah it might be that you will win against another opponent on another day or that you will win against the same opponent on another day, if Allah gives you Tawfiq. Also your intention/ goal was to stay fit for His sake, so you did actually achieve your goal by getting some exercise. And inshahAllah, the Rahman and the Raheem rewards you for it.


May Allah help implement what I say cause I only say it through his will and I can only implement it through his will. Allahhuma Amen!