“And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Kabah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for ones conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves (i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allah), then Allah stands not in need of any of the Alameen (mankind and Jinns).” (Quran 3:97)Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah/ holy Ka’aba) is one the basic Pillars of Islam. The pilgrimage to Ka’aba is tradition that was a part of Arabic culture far back before the advent of Islam during Hazrat Ibrahim’s (A.S) era in the Arabia. After the advent of Islam, it was made an obligatory duty for all the believers once in a life time. But Islam gives exemption to a certain group of people, and on the top of the list are those who are being stopped by a tyrant leader.
Allah’s Messenger (may the peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said, “He who is not prevented from performing the pilgrimage by an obvious necessity, a tyrannical ruler, or a disease which confines him at home, and dies without having performed the pilgrimage, may die if he wishes as a Jew, or if he wishes as a Christian.” (Tirmidhi: 2535, Narrated Abu Umamah) (Darimi transmitted it).
During Prophet’s time, the Believers were stopped by the Pagans in performing the sacred pilgrimage to Makkah and since 20th century Ahmadiyya Muslims from Pakistan have not been allowed to perform this religious obligation by the Pakistani Government.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been persecuted since its existence and its members have been stopped by the Pakistani Government from performing Hajj as per the Fatwa of extremist Clerics who consider Ahmadis to be out of the Circle of Islam.
Ahmadis who are dual citizens or don’t carry the Pakistani Passport can and do go for Hajj, Declaring Ahmadis non-Muslim was a political ploy by Z.A.Bhutto who led the 1974 constitutional amendment that prevents Ahmadis from performing Hajj. Fortunately most of the countries (including Muslim countries) do not have such restrictions in place for Ahmadis when they apply to go for Hajj. So yes Ahmadis like all other Muslims do go for Hajj & Umra.
Considerable number of Pakistanis believe that Ahmadis perform Hajj by going to Rabwah (Chenab Nagar in Pakistan) or Qadiyan (India). No Ahmadi visits these places with the intention of performing Hajj, Members of Ahmadiyyah Muslim community visit Rabwah Pakistan because it is the Headquarters of the Community in Pakistan since 1948, while many Pakistani Ahmadis visit Qadian for the annual convention or Jalsa Salana that was banned by the Pakistani Government in 1988.
The sacred pilgrimage of Hajj is only performed in Makah. The Ka’aba is the holiest place for Ahmadis which can not be replaced by any other Holy Site.
Laws in Pakistan not only declare the whole Ahmadiyya Muslim community “kaafir (non muslim)” but also force its members to act like “non Muslims”. (E.g. not allowed to perform hajj, not allowed to read Quranic verses, not allowed to claim oneself as Muslim etc).
The truth is that majority of Pakistanis do not like Ahmadi Muslims and 66% (thats every two in three Pakistanis) agree that Ahmadis are non-muslim. This religious hatred towards the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community that’s embedded in the Pakistani constitution leads to deprivation of their religious & political rights, the fact that they are Pakistani citizens makes no difference; this makes Ahmadis “Pakistan’s Palestinians”.
Ahmadi Muslims are worse off than Christians and Hindus in Pakistan. While Christians and Hindus face forced conversions most Pakistanis believe Ahmadis don’t have the right to exist.
In spite of all the discrimination and persecution, Ahmadis continue to serve Pakistan keeping in mind their slogan of “Love for all hatred for none.”
Source/Credit: Rabwah Times
Read original post here: Why don’t Ahmadiyya Muslims perform Hajj?
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