Legalise gambling? Try prayer and good deeds instead

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30: Whew am I glad to see the back of 2011, what a year. I had many personal challenges, not to mention the chaos going on in the world today.

But still as I reflect it could have been worse, at least with all the challenges I encountered — have caused me to call on my Lord constantly.

I was and shall remain forever praying and making dua (supplication), in good times and in bad as the surah says that Allah the most Merciful advises “to know Me in good times, so that I may know you in adversity.

Also, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “Whosoever desires that Allah answers his Duas in unfavourable and difficult conditions, he should make plentiful dua in days of ease and comfort”.

Though I am glad to see 2011 move on, I must exercise caution. I am reminded of the words of my Granny Stubbs when she would chide me for wanting to move on with people or places whenever I would lose patience. She said: “The better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know,” 

How true, as I have come to realize that all change is not growth, just as all movement is not forward.

I will keep hope alive and anticipate that 2012 will be a fantastic year, not just for me, but for my family, my friends, in fact all of Bermuda; better still for all of mankind.

How can we ensure a better 2012? My opinion is that it starts with you, yeah you — the face in the mirror. 

I believe in the power of prayer, since it has been tried and tested, that praying and obeying the tenets of the great book (the Holy Quran — our manual for living sent by the Creator) is indeed the largest component of ensuring prosperity. 

Most of the New Year cards with their well wishes include the word ‘prosperity”.

We all want it — prosperity, success — let us examine what prosperity is.

Some say it is the condition of enjoying wealth, success, or good fortune. 

Prosperity?

I would say that prosperity is an individual perspective. 

Many   appear to be prosperous, but aren’t — just like all that glitters is not gold. 

Prosperity could come in the form of achieving your goals, no matter how grand or meager they are perceived to be.

There is a TV commercial that comes on just before the Channel 9 evening news where a little girl comes dead last in all her athletic races, yet her team cheers her on and seem to be delighted with her performance.

Why? You see the little girl appears physically challenged — therefore her effort of just finishing the race or even entering the race is a feat in itself. Success I would say. So you see, success could be and is a very individual thing.

I hear a lot of talk about legalizing gaming in Bermuda.

Whilst that may be a solution to one problem it certainly can open up a can of worms, which Bermuda should and is not prepared to deal with.

Yes, we need to improve our tourist industry, but not by legalizing gambling. Why would something as risky as gambling be the supposed cure-all for our tourism problem? 

Nicholas Dill, Priest-in-Charge at St Monica’s,  said, and I agree “It’s a panacea which benefits the casino owners, but does not bring long term benefits to society”.

Bermuda, let us be thankful for the success that God the Almighty has bestowed upon us thus far. We suffered no major hurricanes this year, or major calamity. Yes our economics are down — maybe we need to do some things different, rely on God more and not so much on man.

Let’s try  prayer and good deeds for His continued protection and favours, before we get into something that might jeopardize our well being and cut us off from the Almighty’s favours.

In the early days of Islam the Prophet was questioned regarding the permissibility of gambling and alcohol.

His response was: “They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say, ‘In them is great sin and some benefit for men; but the sin is greater than the benefit.” (Qur’an 2:19).

Gambling indeed is very risky.

I pray to Allah to safeguard us in this life and grant us good in the Hereafter.

Indeed, health is a blessing which every one of us should work diligently to preserve.

The Prophet (pbuh) points out that good health is the greatest blessing with which anyone may be favoured, next to the blessing of being strong in faith.

Let’s have faith that Allah the Most Merciful will bestow us with good health, strength in faith and prosperity in the New Year. Ameen.