By Maulana Yahya Nomani,
While looking at the collective conscience of Muslims, the Ummah, one sometimes feels elated to notice life in it and at other moments one finds that although there is some life left in the Ummah but the vigour and warmth in it has become miserably weakened.
Instant disapproval and condemnation by a community of any degeneration and weakness taking place in it are the collective guarantee for its auto correction and long term survival. It is this very point that an assessment of which pushes one in a mood of depression. We have reached to a stage where no incident, no matter how significant it may be, does not shake us from our slumber and activate and motivate us. While some are content because of their insensitivity or ignorance; some others remain silent because their conscience is shackled by the chains of compromises and personal interests.
“In the light of my academic and religious knowledge I can say with full responsibility that the money earned from such a tax is haram (forbidden). Any government imposing tax on anyone entering Masjid al-Haram should be fearful of the punishment from Allah SWT. I wish that the Saudi Ulema and politicians had come forward and made a sincere effort to stop their government from taking this action that is tantamount to inviting the wrath of Allah.”
One such shocking example has recently come to light and that has shown us how much our collective conscience (as Muslims) has been degenerated and infected with weakness.
Saudi Government has formally introduced a fees on Hajj and Umrah. And it’s not a small amount! It’s about 40,000 Indian rupees.
If anyone wants to perform Umrah second times in his/her life then they will have to pay this as a visa fees. If this is not a ‘Masjid-al-Haram Tax’ then what it is? No concern has been expressed anywhere, neither in the Arab nor the non-Arab world. What can it be called except inaction, indifference and the weakness of the collective conscience. This does not bode well on the future of a community.
Every Muslim has the right to perform Hajj and Umrah. What right does anyone have to stop him from this or charge a tax from him for doing so? This is definitely an act of high handedness and the misuse of the authority on Masjid al-Haram. It can have dangerous consequences in this world and in the hereafter.
In the light of my academic and religious knowledge I can say with full responsibility that the money earned from such a tax is haram (forbidden). Any government imposing tax on anyone entering Masjid al-Haram should be fearful of the punishment from Allah SWT. I wish that the Saudi Ulema and politicians had come forward and made a sincere effort to stop their government from taking this action that is tantamount to inviting the wrath of Allah. I wish that people in various countries that have good relations with Saudi Government were seen trying to stop it from taking such a dangerous action.
Why those who are seen congratulating and praising Saudi Government even for petty actions are silent on this ‘taxing of Masjid al-Haram’? What explanation will they give in the Court of Almighty Allah?
Let’s not forget that the situation in Gulf countries is very volatile. All sorts of fears and doubts are in the air. This action can invite Allah’s wrath. I wish the Saudi Government was fearful of Allah’s punishment and there was someone to remind it of it.
Maulana Yahya Nomani is a Lucknow based Islamic scholar and author of a large number of essays and various books.
Translated by Urdu Media Monitor.Com from Yahya Nomani‘s Facebook
THIS ACT SEEMS VERY MIND BLOWING.
I AM POOR MAN ,I HAD THE VISION TO VISIT MECCA FOR UMRAH AND SPENT GOOD AMOUNT THERE AS I HAD ENOUGH MONEY THAT TIME.
NOW I HAD SECOND VISION TO VISIT MECCA AND PLAN TO DO IT THOUGH THIS TIME IT IS NOT AS EASY AS IT WAS FIRST TIME.
THERE ARE LAKHS OF RICH PEOPLE WANTING TO VISIT MECCA ,BUT COULD NOT DO IT ,MAY BE ALLAH WANTS SOME OTHERS TO VISIST FOR HIS BLESSING WHO ARE MORE NEEDY.
MOULAN YAHAYA NOUMANI’S WORDS ARE WORTH CONSIDERING
“In the light of my academic and religious knowledge I can say with full responsibility that the money earned from such a tax is haram (forbidden). Any government imposing tax on anyone entering Masjid al-Haram should be fearful of the punishment from Allah SWT. I wish that the Saudi Ulema and politicians had come forward and made a sincere effort to stop their government from taking this action that is tantamount to inviting the wrath of Allah.”
One such shocking example has recently come to light and that has shown us how much our collective conscience (as Muslims) has been degenerated and infected with weakness.
Saudi Government has formally introduced a fees on Hajj and Umrah. And it’s not a small amount! It’s about 40,000 Indian rupees.
The imposing of these taxes must be result from the stagnation of oil prices.
USA has a huge reserve of oil wealth the negativity of oil demand in west caused the downfall of oil prices causing the economic chaos in the country.
As We are not prudent on a Hadis, we must not invoke a curse on any Muslim Govt.
Brothers, please note last month IMF Managing Director CHRISTINE was in SAUDI and pointed & appreciated the major shift in Saudi Policy, Allah Knows better what that shift is all about. IMF is Brain Child of ILLUMINATI and i think this SAUDI Step is just the tip of the ICE BERG….
Dear Brothers,
If you come to Makkah and see the huge number of Hujjaj here almost
all the year around, I am sure you will think otherwise.
Many times there is unmanageable rush especially on Fridays and causes
discomfort and inconvenience to the elderly, sick and physically weak
Hujjaj.
The Saudi Government and Ulema rightly want to encourage FIRST_TIME
Umrah and Hajj guests to come and have a safe and memorable visit to
the House of Allah.
That is why for FIRST-TIMER Guests (poor and rich alike), there are no
extra fees for Umrah and Hajj.
Obviously if you are rich and wish to perform Umrah and Hajj every year,
you should not take away the opportunity of the not-so-rich Muslims of
performing their FIRST essential pilgrimage.
The rich Muslims can also use their extra funds for Zakaat, Sadqah and
charity and earn more rewards from Allah by helping the cause of Islam
and the poor Muslims.
We should not hastily make judgements without knowing the ground
reality.
And Allah swt knows best.
Agreed. In fact if this was implemented – discouraging people from doing multiple times hajj and umrah – may on the waiting list would have a chance to perform their FIRST hajj or umrah. In my country there is a very long waiting list for hajj and due to the quota system, someone who registers this year may only be able to perform hajj say sometime in 2040!
The issue may be collecting money (tax), but this could be substituted by other forms of discouragement. The principle is good.