Quran: Text and context
As you all know that for going for Hajj or Umrah, all Muslims are required to take visas. Now read this verse from quran and do you think requiring visa and permission from the Saudi government is against this Quranic verse.
See, Quran doesn't exist in vaccuum, it was revealed not at once, all verses have context of time and place. Of course, message of Quran is universal and true for all times and places but its application will depend on circumstances and that's why wisdom is important.
If Saudi government lets every Muslim come in every year then how will they accommodate one billion Muslims coming for Hajj? It is just not possible. Therefore, even Hajj Committee of India putting the restrictions of age and how many times can one person go for hajj etc is a step in the right direction to control the overcrowding so a better and safe Hajj experience can be provided to every Haji.
Having said that, I would like to point out that Saudi insistence that from this year they will not accept special Hajj passport and all pilgrims should have international passport is not a wise decision. For country like India, where many do not go overseas except for Hajj they don't need a regular passport, special Hajj passport makes the process smooth and easy.
To come back to the Quranic verse, as you can see, Quran asks to make effort to understand and follow to the best of our ability keeping in mind the time and place we are living in. Of course, this is not to say that all Islamic principles are negotiable.
Verily! those who disbelieved and hinder (men) from the Path of Allâh, and from Al-Masjid-al-Harâm (at Makkah) which We have made (open) to (all) men, the dweller in it and the visitor from the country are equal there [as regards its sanctity and pilgrimage (Hajj and 'Umrah)]. And whoever inclines to evil actions therein or to do wrong (i.e. practise polytheism and leave Islâmic Monotheism), him We shall cause to taste from a painful torment. Hajj: 25 [English translation by Dr. Muhsin]
See, Quran doesn't exist in vaccuum, it was revealed not at once, all verses have context of time and place. Of course, message of Quran is universal and true for all times and places but its application will depend on circumstances and that's why wisdom is important.
If Saudi government lets every Muslim come in every year then how will they accommodate one billion Muslims coming for Hajj? It is just not possible. Therefore, even Hajj Committee of India putting the restrictions of age and how many times can one person go for hajj etc is a step in the right direction to control the overcrowding so a better and safe Hajj experience can be provided to every Haji.
Having said that, I would like to point out that Saudi insistence that from this year they will not accept special Hajj passport and all pilgrims should have international passport is not a wise decision. For country like India, where many do not go overseas except for Hajj they don't need a regular passport, special Hajj passport makes the process smooth and easy.
To come back to the Quranic verse, as you can see, Quran asks to make effort to understand and follow to the best of our ability keeping in mind the time and place we are living in. Of course, this is not to say that all Islamic principles are negotiable.
Comments