When coronavirus was officially proven to be humanly transmitted, governments were anxiously monitoring the situation. Before the rapid increase in daily cases, there were not many precautions taken. During this time, many Muslims around the world have already planned their life journey – Hajj. It is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Hajj is one of the main pillars of Islam, and it is an exceptional journey for every Muslim around the globe.
Saudi officials were not clear on their approach to Hajj until the cases started significantly surging in Europe. The Kingdom has decided to stop Umrah (pilgrimage similar to Hajj) in late February in its response to the Pandemic. Later on, the Kingdom went on to urge Muslims around the world to reconsider their pilgrimage for this year. As Saudi Arabia is engaged in more restrictions, the question as to whether the Hajj is going to happen this year is pointed out by many. This article will provide you with the answer to whether Hajj will take place and, in such cases, how it is going to look.
Historical lockdowns of Kabba
There were three historical lockdowns of Kabba (building at the center of Islam’s most important mosque, the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca), which prevented Muslims from performing Hajj. Although performing Hajj is an essential pillar of Islam, in cases where the context endangers the life of those performing it, Hajj can be canceled. In the year 930 AD, the Shiite Qarmatians State launched several attacks on Mecca and the pilgrimage routes. During that period, Islamic Scholars issued a fatwa that banned the pilgrimage to Mecca as life and properties were in danger.
In that same year, Qarmatians managed to raid Mecca and massacred thousands of pilgrims. Hajj was then banned for the next ten years.
During the 19th century, the people of the Hijaz region of the Arab Pennisula epidemic outbreaks, such as the plague, meningitis, and cholera. In 1814, the plague epidemic claimed the lives of over 8000 people, and Hajj was not allowed that year. Islamic scholars unanimously agreed to cancel the Hajj as there was a significant threat to life.
Lastly, the Kabba was closed for 15 days in 1979 following the raid on the city by Juhayman al Otaybi. During that time, scholars of Islam issued a fatwa stating that Kaaba would remain close for 2 weeks. What it comes down to is that when a context that threatens human life emerges, the closing of Kabba and cancellation of Hajj can take place.
Is Hajj going to take place this year?
There are several allegations, opinions, and news where there will be any cancellation of Hajj for this year. However, there has not been a definite statement from the Saudi officials on what will happen to this year’s Hajj up until now.
The Kingdom is facing difficult times recently as the daily numbers have increased significantly. Although it looked for some time that the Kingdom is experiencing a decreasing trend of cases, lately, the Kingdom is suffering an increasing trend. This makes it extremely difficult for it to open the doors of Hajj.
As previously mentioned, when faced with settings that endanger one’s life, then Islam rules that Hajj should be canceled. Recently all the elements of such a setting can be found in Kaaba. That is why the doors of Hajj are going to be closed but not for everyone.
From the latest statements of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah published to be the state-run Saudi Press Agency, it seems that the Kingdom is taking a softer approach. The Kingdom has decided that Hajj this year will only include Saudis and other nationalities that are inside the Kingdom. From the latest developments, Hajj will certainly take place, but it will be exclusive only to people within the Kingdom.
How will Hajj look this year?
Although Hajj will be allowed for the people within the Kingdom, serious measures and precautions will be placed. The rules and regulations of this year’s Hajj will be such that they mitigate the chances of the virus being transmitted. The precautions may be tiring for some pilgrims, but they are necessary to maintain safety in the region.
Despite the harsh precautions that Hajj officials are planning to take, there is also going to be a significantly low number of people. That is, Hajj officials will determine the number of pilgrims for this year. There is no information on what criteria the pilgrims will be chosen, but a completely different Hajj will certainly be taking place this year. It will be poignant for many Muslims around the world, to see this year’s Hajj is almost empty.
What does it mean for Muslims to be unable to attend Hajj?
To understand what it means for Muslims to be unable to attend Hajj, one should understand what Hajj means to Muslims over the world. As mentioned previously, it is one of the main pillars of Islam. It is a religious journey through which a Muslim connects with God on a different level. It is considered to be one of the most important ways to reach self-purification.
When talking to any person who has performed Hajj, you can feel the emotions in their words. They are very enthusiastic when they talk about their experience in Hajj. Almost all of them can’t wait to go back. For a Muslim, not being able to go to Hajj this year means that he is not able to experience the previously mentioned experiences. Hajj generates peculiar religious feelings and spirituality that deeply attaches Muslims’ hearts to Kaaba and Makkah and the journey itself.
To sum up, Hajj is a unique and significant journey for every Muslim. For safety purposes, the doors of Hajj will not be opened to Muslims outside of Saudi Arabia. However, Hajj will be opened and is going to take place under a significantly low number of people this year, and it could probably be around 1000.
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