BIOLA AZEEZ, in this piece, speaks with Muslim clerics on the practice of sponsoring poor people for Hajj.
Hajj in Islam is the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca and Madinah in Saudi Arabia, which every adult Muslim is expected to make at least once in his or her lifetime.
It is the fifth of the fundamental Muslim practices and institutions known as the Five Pillars of Islam.
Ustaz Abdulsalam Olayiwola Imam, retired head, Islamic Unit of Radio Kwara, Ilorin.
“Let’s look at it in two different ways. Funds that the government would expend on hajj subsidy or reduced fares is for the generality of the people. Now, how will the government consult us all before taking such an action? For instance, how do we decide on how to use our common wealth to subsidize hajj? If they do it for Muslims, the government should do it for Christians too. That’s where danger lurks. So, instead of subsidizing hajj, the government can get the hajj fares reduced. Government should find ways to reduce hajj fares instead of subsidizing hajj fares.
The government that reduced fuel subsidy and wants to go ahead to subsidize hajj; that can lead to war! People will kick against it. Even, Muslims can even be the ones that would first kick against it. Some may inquire to know how they would benefit from such subsidy, particularly, if they’ve gone on hajj before and don’t intend to go on hajj again.
“My view on this issue is that if the government wants to spend people’s money on a project, the whole people must agree on it because the money belongs to the people. So, I think the right thing to do is to find ways to reduce the fares and not subsidize it.
Also, the Chief Missioner of Igbomina-Ekiti Muslim Forum, Alhaji Abdulkadir Salaudeen, admonished wealthy muslims to empower indigent ones among them rather than bankrolling their travels for hajj.
Salaudeen stated this recently while delivering his paper at the annual Ramadan lecture of the Igbomina-Ekiti Muslims Forum organized in Ilorin.
He observed that some wealthy muslims had glamourized going for Hajj pilgrimage every year to the detriment of empowering indigent Muslims as dictated by Allah.
The cleric submitted that such funds used by wealthy muslims to sponsor indigents to Hajj could be used to empower them in their various trades and endevours so that they can equally be self sufficient and embark on Hajj too.
According to him, there are rich people around us, who will never support indigent person’s to get empowered but they will be willing to bankroll the Hajj of the poor people who can hardly feed themselves
“Those that bankroll Hajj travels of indigent muslims don’t even support them with what to feed their families if they leave for pilgrimage.
“It is better to empower indigent Muslims, for them to be economically buoyant rather than sending them to Hajj and they remain needy and indigent.
“When you uplift them, they will in-turn be in a position to help themselves and also others,” he said.
Sheikh Nurudeen Adéwále Solaudeen
“First, it’s part of the rights of citizens and also part of obligations of our political leaders to find means of attracting ease to Hajj travels. Prophet Mumamhad (SAW) says islam is a religion that encourages ease and peace. So, government must find peaceful and easy ways for citizens. If government can’t subsidize hajj like half of the fares, hajj itself is not compulsory for those who are not financially capable. Prophet Mumamhad (SAW) also said that hajj is for those who have the means. That is if such person removes hajj fares out of his or her money, it won’t cause any discomfort. Hajj is not for those struggling to survive. That’s that.
Also, government should get involved in Hajj to make it easy for those going on Hajj pilgrimage. We that had gone on hajj can testify to hurdles encountered. If individuals are left to go about it by themselves, it would mean a lot of difficulties. Government should appoint those with integrity, trustworthy and with credible reputation into Hajj boards to protect pilgrims from being cheated, to avoid giving government bad reputation. God wants ease of doing things for His servants. He doesn’t want difficulties for us. Ustaz MuhToyeeb Aminulahi of the Mah’d Nurhil Huda Wal Ameen.
“In my opinion, I think government should subsidize hajj fares. Government should not hands off. A large population of Muslims go on hajj (wholesale) every year. So, I won’t expect government to sponsor Hajj. They should instead, subsidise it. Individuals can sponsor Hajj, but not government. This is because we have many religions in Nigeria. And government can’t be seen sponsoring Hajj and leaving out others. Government can subsidize or reduce the Hajj fares to assist many Muslims to perform the holy pilgrimage. So, I won’t say government should sponsor. No! It might create issues among other religious adherents but if they subsidize it or reduce the cost, they will have reason to allow majority of Muslims (Nigerian citizens) to go on annual pilgrimage.
Alfa Ismail Alubarika
“The issue here is not in sponsorship or subsidizing hajj fares, but who are we doing this for? Many beneficiaries of Hajj sponsorship or subsidy are those who should not benefit such. There are so many people that should have gone on Hajj that were not supported because those who should offer such benefits do so on preference or based on connection. Government should continue to support Hajj but it should critically sanitize the exercise to serve the purpose intended.
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