Dr Bilal Philips, a renowned Islamic preacher, quotes from the Holy Qur’an: “And, pilgrimage to the House is duty on mankind to Allah for those who can find a way there (Holy Qur’an 3:97).”
He further explains: “Similar statements of the Prophet define ability as being sufficient provisions and transportation. Hence, a Muslim has to be economically able to make the trip. If he has to borrow the money to make the journey, Hajj is not compulsory for him. In the case when one’s family is left in debt or with insufficient funds, it is recommended that such an individual stay home until he is financially able.
Muslims with physical disabilities are also not obliged to make Hajj unless they have the economic ability to pay others to carry them. Therefore, only those who are economically and physically able to perform the rigorous rites of Hajj are obliged to do so.”
In Bangladesh, a lot of people feel compelled to go for performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Why? There are many social pressures that at first influence and later on force people to perform pilgrimage. There is this “Haji” title-seeking competition – whoever goes to perform Hajj is later on called a Haji. Haji is a very respectable title for anyone in the community.
Then there is peer pressure. When someone from a similar social status goes for pilgrimage, other members psychologically feel that it is necessary for them to go as well. There are even incidences when people come and ask them to prepare for their Hajj, saying that it is high time they did it.
Lastly, there is the uncertainty of death. Most of the time, our eldest members of society tend to think that they are going to die really soon. In order to make their life worthwhile, they plan to die either in Mecca while performing Hajj, or after returning home as a Haji.
Meanwhile, the Dhaka Tribune reports: “Bangladesh government has finalised packages for Hajj 2014. The first packages will cost Tk354,316 while the second will cost Tk295,776 (except additional charge of Tk10,500 for sacrificing animals). A total of 101,758 Bangladeshi Hajis are expected to perform Hajj this year as the Saudi Arabian authorities allowed Bangladesh to send pilgrims equivalent to this number.”
If we calculate the total number then we will see that this year people of Bangladesh are going to spend over Tk1,605cr or Tk3,009cr or somewhere in between. In 2014, we have an approximately Tk61,346cr budget deficit.
On the other hand, Arabnews.com reports: “Economists have estimated the Kingdom’s (Saudi Arabia) revenues from Hajj and Umrah services in 2012 at more than SR62bn ($16.5bn), 10% up from 2011 figures. They also said Hajj revenue accounted for 3% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).”
Al-miftah.com mentions some Hadith-based advice about deeds that equal the reward of Hajj: Wudhu (ablution) at home before proceeding for Salaah (prayer) with Jamaat (group), Salatul Ishraaq (prayers after sunrise), going to the mosque to acquire or impart knowledge, serving one’s parents, attending the Jumu’ah Salaah, attending the Eid Salaah, Esha Salaah in congregation, and fulfilling the needs of a fellow Muslim.
Some of our people just remember and remind us that Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, and it must be performed hastily. They seem to have forgotten the verse (Holy Qur’an 3:97) that clearly states who is obliged to perform pilgrimage.
Bangladesh is a developing country where the majority of the people are poor and underprivileged. When you take such decisions out of social anxiety, peer pressure, or just for show, our country loses huge amounts of money that could have been used in other ways to help those in need.