The Waiving off Hajj Tax

Hajj is the fifth fundamental of the faith of Islam. It is obligatory on every Muslim endowed with wealth to perform once in a life with certain, conditions, but Saudi Government off and on clamp such unlawful restrictions which causes difficulties for Haj pilgrimage in performing this (Hajj) they in spite of fulfilling the lawful conditions are deprived of performing the Hajj. For example, in the year 1438 AH/2016. AC

Saudi Government had announced the recovery of 2000/= Riyals as additional tax from such pilgrims who have performed the Hajj during the last five years. Subsequently, this condition has been changed as 3 years for Hajj and one year for Umrah.

In 1945 AC, the Saudi government had levied the Hajj tax on every pilgrim which had gravely concerned the Muslim world and they started every effort for the withdrawal of this tax. From India Moulana Shah Abdul Aleem Siddiqui (RA) along with few religious scholars (Ulamas) not only raised their voices for the withdrawal of this Hajj Tax but launched the practical efforts.

On behalf of All India Muslim League, Moulana Shah Abdul Aleem Siddiqui (RA) led a delegation which met Shah Saudi for the waiving off Hajj tax.

To that effect, Moulana Shah Abdul Aleem Siddiqui (RA) compiled a comprehensive book titled “AL Fatawa Wal-Nasoos Fi Biyan-e-Al-Dar Saib-e-Wal Makoos” in which the decrees and opinions of the four Jurists (ائمہ اربعہ) and members of Shia sects were collected and presented to Saudi Rulers with a demand to withdraw the Hajj Tax. The Saudi Government was pleased to accept their demand and announced the withdrawal of Hajj Tax.

The importance of the Topic

On this topic not a single book is available in Urdu Language. This book is in Arabic Language which was published in Egypt for the first time and is very rare. Its Urdu translation, research and analysis, background and importance are very necessary for the knowledge of a common man so that he may be aware of the legal status of the Hajj Tax levied by the Saudi Government.

Reasons For Opting The Topic

The following are the reasons of opting this topic

·         The Saudi government repeating the practice of 20^th century AC has restarted the recovery of 2000/= Saudi Riyals as Hajj Tax, the legal status of the levied additional tax must be known to Muslims Ummah.

·         To clarify the history, date and order of this additional tax on Hajj pilgrims.

·         Inter-Religious Harmony