As Bermuda prepares to celebrate the annual Cup Match Classic next Thursday and Friday, communities across the island will gather for one of the island’s most cherished traditions.

The Cup Match tradition itself began in 1902 as a friendly cricket match between the St George's and Somerset cricket clubs. It was established to promote reconciliation, unity, and fellowship among Bermudians following social and political divisions.

Today, it has become a national celebration that brings together families, friends, neighbours, and visitors in a spirit of community.

Competition itself is not discouraged in Islam. Rather, it is the intention and conduct behind our competition that matter. Allah says: “So compete with one another in doing good.” (Koran 2:148)

The greatest competition is not who scores the most runs or lifts the Cup Match trophy, but who excels in kindness, honesty, generosity, patience, and righteousness.

Prophet Muhammad understood the importance of recreation and physical activity. He raced with his beloved wife, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her). On one occasion she outran him, and on another occasion he outran her. Smiling, he said: “This is for that one.” This beautiful narration reminds us that laughter, playfulness, and healthy competition have a place within a balanced life.

Muhammad also said: “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, although there is good in both.” (Sahih Muslim)

Strength includes physical fitness, emotional resilience, and spiritual steadfastness. The Prophet also enjoyed wholesome activities with his companions, encouraging pursuits that developed strength, skill, discipline, and brotherhood.

As we enjoy Cup Match, we should remember that victory is never an excuse for arrogance, nor is defeat a reason for resentment. Allah reminds us: “Indeed, Allah does not like the arrogant and boastful.” (Koran 4:36)

Whether supporting Somerset or St George’s, let our words remain respectful, our celebrations dignified, and our conduct reflective of Islamic character. There should be no insults, cheating, excessive gambling, intoxication, or behaviour that displeases Allah.

More than a cricket match, Cup Match commemorates two significant events in Bermuda's history: Emancipation Day, marking the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834, and Mary Prince Day, honouring the Bermudian-born abolitionist whose powerful autobiography helped expose the brutality of slavery and strengthen the movement for abolition.

Islam places immense value on human dignity and freedom. The Koran also repeatedly encourages the emancipation of enslaved people as one of the noblest acts of righteousness and an expiation for certain sins.

Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) lived in a society where slavery existed, yet he consistently encouraged the freeing of slaves, elevated their status, and declared that all people are equal before Allah except in piety.

Allah says: “Indeed, We have honoured the children of Adam, carried them on land and sea, provided them with good and lawful things, and favoured them greatly above many of those We created.” (Surah Al-Isra 17:70)

This verse teaches several profound principles:

• Every human being has inherent dignity

• Allah says He has honoured the children of Adam — not just Muslims, Arabs, or any particular race. Every person is born with God-given dignity and deserves to be treated with respect

• Human life is sacred

Because Allah has honoured humanity, Islam condemns oppression, humiliation, racism, and injustice. This is one reason why slavery was gradually dismantled through Islamic teachings, which strongly encouraged the emancipation of slaves and emphasised their equal spiritual worth.

The verse reminds us of the many blessings Allah has given us: the ability to travel, to earn a livelihood, to reason, to communicate, and to benefit from the resources of the earth.

Honour carries responsibility. Being honoured by Allah is not only a privilege — it also means we should live in a way that reflects that honour: worshipping Allah, treating others justly, and caring for His creation.

This verse resonates with Emancipation Day because it commemorates the end of the legal enslavement of people in Bermuda and throughout the British Empire.

While slavery denied people their dignity and freedom, the Koran reminds us that Allah had already bestowed honour upon every human being. No race or ethnicity is inherently superior to another.

This message is reinforced by Prophet Muhammad in his Farewell Sermon: “No Arab has superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab; no White person over a Black person, nor a Black person over a White person — except by piety (taqwa).”

Together, Koran 17:70 and this Hadith beautifully reinforce the Islamic principles of human dignity, equality, justice, and respect for all people, making them especially meaningful when reflecting on the significance of Bermuda's Emancipation Day.

While Islam does not celebrate Cup Match as a religious occasion, it wholeheartedly encourages the values of justice, freedom from oppression, healthy recreation, and strengthening family and community ties.

May Allah make us among those who compete in righteousness, display excellence in character, and become sources of mercy, justice, and unity wherever we are. Amin.

As the island celebrates another chapter of Bermuda’s history, may we remember that the finest competition is the one that draws us nearer to Allah and inspires us to become better servants of Him and better neighbours to one another.

“Race towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden as wide as the heavens and the Earth …” (Koran 57:21).

Have a blessed Cup Match and may your team win! Go Somerset … Go St George's!

We also pray that justice, freedom and equality resounds throughout Bermuda and indeed the world.

As salaam alaikum (peace be unto you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam