The recent disaster in Hajj - a consequence of ignoring the Quranic law

Saudi Arabia's top religious cleric promised measures on February 2, 2004 to prevent more tragedy at the annual pilgrimage a day after 251 people were trampled to death there. The cleric's statement did not elaborate on what measures would be taken, but it is likely that he will issue an "Islamic edict" related to the ritual that turned deadly called stoning the devil. In 1998, following a stampede during the ritual in which 180 people were killed, religious authorities issued an edict permitting the stoning to begin at dawn instead of after midday. The idea was to give worshippers more time and enable authorities to control them. Please note that pilgrims also were trampled to death on their way to the stoning ritual in 1994, 2001 and 2003.

We learn from the Quran that nothing bad comes from the Most Merciful God - "Anything good that happens to you is from God, and anything bad that happens to you is from you. We have sent you as a messenger to the people, and God suffices as witness." (4:79)

From the above verse we know that bad things cannot originate from Merciful God. Additionally, God is the best lawmaker as understood from this verse - "Is it the law of the days of ignorance that they

seek to uphold? Whose law is better than God's for those who have attained certainty?" (5:50)

All problems and disaster have been happening in and around the Hajj season because Saudi Arabia abandoned God's law for Hajj that we find in the Quran. According to the Quranic law, Hajj can be observed any time during the four sacred months. Sadly, Saudi Government restricts Hajj to a few days for their own convenience.

Over-crowding is prevailed during the Hajj season. We learn from the Quran - "Hajj shall be observed in the specified months. Whoever sets out to observe Hajj shall refrain from sexual intercourse, misconduct, and arguments throughout Hajj. Whatever good you do, God is fully aware thereof. As you prepare your provisions for the journey, the best provision is righteousness. You shall observe Me, O you who possess intelligence." (2:197).

The four sacred months in Islam were observed before the time of Muhammad - The count of months, as far as GOD is concerned, is twelve. This has been GOD's law, since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred. This is the perfect religion;

you shall not wrong your souls (by fighting) during the Sacred Months. However, you may declare all-out war against the idol worshipers (even during the Sacred Months), when they declare all-out war against you, and know that GOD is on the side of the righteous. (9:36)

The Arabs are violating God's sacred months despite this Quranic command - "O you who believe, do not violate the rites instituted by God, nor the Sacred Months, nor the animals to be offered, ...You shall observe God. God is strict in enforcing retribution." (5:2)

Is it not true what God Almighty says about Arabs? - "The Arabs are the worst in disbelief and hypocrisy, and the most likely to ignore the laws that God has revealed to His messenger. God is Omniscient, Most Wise." (9:97)

We would like the top Saudi religious cleric to stop issuing so-called "Islamic" edict and start following the Quran - "Have you considered the watering of the pilgrims and caring for the Sacred Masjid a substitute for believing in God and the Last Day, and striving in the cause of God? They are not equal in the sight of God. God does not guide the wicked people." (9:19)

God be Glorified

Irtaza