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
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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
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