MECCA. In order to avoid future casualties among Nigerian pilgrims, the Emir of Kano and Amirul Hajj, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, has said he would recommend that Nigerians do not participate in the stoning of the devil in Saudi Arabia, unless they are given accommodation close to ‘Jamrat’, where the Hajj ritual is performed.
The Emir made the pledge when he visited Sokoto state pilgrims at their Makka residence, as he commiserated with them over the death of their fellow pilgrims during the recent stampede.
Supporting his position with Qur’anic verses, Alhaji Sanusi pointed out that refusal to perform the stoning of devil ritual does not in any way invalidate one’s Hajj.
“Besides, if one deliberately refuses to even perform the stoning of the devil ritual, all he needs to do is just to slaughter a ram in order to make up for the loss. So, if this is the situation, why do we go and suffer and die instead of sacrificing a ram?’’
The Emir explained that during the era of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), “he permitted pilgrims, who came on camels to stay in Makkah in order for their animals to get some rest after Arafat, instead of staying in Mina and sleeping at Muzdalifa.
“So, if the Prophet can give such grace to some people, just to protect their animals, why didn’t our scholars educate our people properly to avoid this avoidable hardship and death,’’ he argued.
The Emir promised that he will recommend to the Federal government that if Nigerian pilgrims are not accommodated close to ‘Jamrat’ where the Arabs reside in Mina, ‘’then this year may be the last time we will sleep in Mina and Muzdalifa because we want to stone the devil.’’
“As it is presently, sleeping in Mina and Muzdalifa is not backed by any Hadith or verse of the Qur’an. So why do we continue to do it,” Sanusi said.
The Emir challenged Islamic scholars to educate Muslims on how to perform hitch-free hajj, without unnecessary bloodshed or else he would commence a campaign in this regard.
The Amirul Hajj also reiterated his earlier position that blacks, particularly Nigerians, were not responsible for the Mina stampede, which claimed about 1000 lives.
“Nigeria has no fundamental disagreement with the Saudi authorities, but they must understand that no human being is superior to another in the sight of Allah, except he who fears Allah most.”
Credit: Guardian (Nigeria)
