SHAH ALAM - The sudden increase in prices for flights and accomodation in Makkah and Madinah since the end of last year caused quite a commotion.
Prices for umrah ( an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of the year) packages started to skyrocket, which caused the Malaysian Umrah & Haj Travel Agencies Association (PAPUH) to decide for the floor prices for an Umrah economy package to begin at 7,800 while the premium VIP package to start at RM14,000.
Still the prices were deemed steep especially for those who had planned to perform the Umrah in the near future.
Muslims usually perform the Umrah due to its affordability as compared to Haj and considering that some needed to wait for as long as 130 years in line for them to perform their Haj ( Haj pilgrims are usually selected and Saudi Arabia usually provides a quota for each country so that they would be able to control the crowds during Haj season), performing Umrah is the solution for most Muslims to travel to their holy land.
Sinar spoke to Selangor Mufti Datuk Dr. Anhar Opir on what are the islamic rules on performing Umrah and whether it was necessary to to take loans to perform the pilgrimage.
Dr Anhar explained that Umrah is only mandatory to those who are capable to perform it, once in their lifetime.
He elaborated that it as mentioned by Allah, as translated by Sahih International "And complete the Haj and Umrah for Allah.." (Surah al-Baqarah, verse 196).
"Some of the tafsir scholars like Imam Fakhruddin al-Razi (606 Hijrah) stated the sentence was proof that umrah is mandatory," he said.
He explained according to islamic scholars an individual must be capable to perform Haj or Umrah either with their own efforts or through help from others.
"Haj and umrah are only mandatory to the people who is able and capable.
"In fact, the factor was taken into account as the destination is the same as the fifth Pillar of Islam (to perform Haj) ," he explained
The matter was mentioned in the Quran as translated by Sahih International: "And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way." (Surah Ali 'Imran, verse 97).
In a hadith narrated by Umar RA, a man met the Prophet SAW and said "Oh Messenger of Allah! What are the reasons that made Hajj an obligation?" The Prophet SAW replied "When there is supplies and vehicles." (Hadith narrated by at-Tirmizi and Ibn Majah).
Can we take out debt to perform umrah? Answering this question, Dr Anhar, who is also the Adjunct Professor at Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies (ACIS) at Universiti Teknologi MARA, then referred to a decision made by the Selangor State Fatwa Committee about Money/Funding Loan Scheme from Cooperatives and others to perform Hajj or Umrah.
He said one can take out a waima loan to perform Haj or umrah if they are able to repay twithout affecting their daily lives.
"Additionally, the loan scheme should be managed by bodies or cooperative that value the principles of sincerity, fairness and transparency in addition to being free from bribes," he said.
Dr Anhar advised pilgrims and umrah package operators affected by the increase in prices to discuss honestly with each other.
"Umrah and Haj agencies need to honestly discuss with pilgrims so they would understand that the increase in prices was not exaggerated and reasonable due t o the hike in prices in Makkah and Medinah
"Pilgrims who are less able to bear the cost should make a decision to temporarily put off their wish to perform umrah.
"Another option is to find a path allowed by sharia to accomodate the pilgrims economic situation so that they will be able to perform the act of worship ( umrah) ," he said.