The Hajj pilgrimage is performed by Muslims once in their lifetime if they are able to do so. The Kingdom has spent billions to prepare the holy sites so that Muslims can perform the ritual with ease. It has also harnessed all its capabilities to achieve this goal, and put in place regulations to ensure the success of the season. It has taken into account the huge numbers that flock to the holy sites from all parts of the world to perform the pilgrimage in specific areas. This necessitated the enactment of regulations and laws to ensure the safety and security of the pilgrims. Among the most important controls is the Hajj permit system, which was put in place to ensure an ideal Hajj, and adherence to the guidelines and instructions that guarantee a correct, smooth and safe performance.

The slogan “No Hajj without a permit” was not just a slogan to be uttered or phrases to be repeated. It had a great impact on the success of the Hajj, and it eliminated many of the actions and trickery that some people resort to in an attempt to circumvent the regulations, violating the orders and regulations, and striving to try to enter the holy sites despite the confirmations that “Hajj is in well-known months, so whoever undertakes Hajj therein, let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor quarreling during Hajj.”.

One of the conditions of Hajj is “ability,” which includes the concept of travel and food to reach the geographical area of ​​the holy sites. The narrowness of the geographical area, despite the efforts made to expand it, necessitates regulations. The billions of Muslims call for strictness in applying the instructions. There is no Hajj without a permit, and whoever violates this in search of a personal interest will be reprimanded, prevented, and punished according to the system.

The slogan “No Hajj without a permit” launched by the Ministry of Interior did not come out of nowhere, but rather stems from an urgent need to regulate the movement of pilgrims and avoid overcrowding that may lead to accidents or human bottlenecks. The permit is not just an official document, but a means to ensure that every pilgrim has accommodation, health services, sustenance, and security monitoring that guarantees that he can perform his rituals safely and peacefully.

Violating the permit conditions undermines the objectives of Islamic law

Throughout the past eras, the phenomenon of irregular pilgrimage and its resulting problems of sleeping on the ground and other negative phenomena has been a major concern for the competent authorities, who have worked to contain it and punish those involved. These efforts have resulted in the containment of the phenomenon of irregular pilgrims and sleeping on the ground, which has completely ended and gone away without return thanks to the decisive mechanisms put in place by the competent authorities.

Throughout previous eras, violators continued to devise ways and methods to reach Mecca and the holy sites. At the same level, the authorities developed their methods of control, pursuit, and siege, and violators could no longer infiltrate and cross, as security forces confronted them everywhere in the rugged paths, mountain slopes, untrodden roads, wildernesses, and deserts.

The Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars and General President of Scientific Research and Ifta, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, stressed the need to fully comply with the instructions issued by the competent authorities, foremost among which is obtaining the official permit.

He stressed that performing Hajj without a permit is a serious violation of Islamic law, as it involves breaking the law and infringing on the public interest, warning that “violating the instructions issued by the relevant authorities for Hajj is a clear violation of the orders of the ruler and contrary to the pure Sharia.”.

He added: “Whoever performs Hajj without a permit bears a legal sin, because this harms public order and violates the legal objectives that are keen to preserve order, prevent chaos, and achieve the interests of the people.”.

The permit reduces the risks of overcrowding and stampedes. The Council of Senior Scholars confirmed that the obligation to obtain a Hajj permit and the obligation of those intending to perform Hajj is in accordance with the interest required by Sharia, as Sharia came to improve and increase interests and to ward off and reduce harms. It explained that it is not permissible to go to Hajj without obtaining a permit, and whoever does so is sinful, and whoever is unable to obtain a permit is considered to be incapable.

She explained that the obligation to obtain a Hajj permit is based on what Islamic law stipulates regarding facilitating the worship of the worshippers in performing their rituals and removing hardship from them. The obligation to obtain a Hajj permit came with the intention of organizing the number of pilgrims in a way that enables these large crowds to perform this ritual in peace and safety, and this is a correct legal objective established by the evidence and rules of Islamic law.

She added that the commitment to obtaining a Hajj permit and the commitment of those intending to perform Hajj to do so is in line with the interest required by Sharia, as the government agencies concerned with organizing Hajj draw up the Hajj season plan with its various aspects, security, health, accommodation and sustenance, and other services, according to the numbers authorized. Whenever the number of pilgrims is in line with those authorized, this achieves the quality of services provided to the pilgrims, and prevents great evils from sleeping on the roads, which hinders their movement and grouping, and reduces the risks of overcrowding and stampedes that lead to destruction.

Report them

The Ministry of Interior called for reporting anyone who transports or attempts to transport violators of Hajj regulations and instructions by calling 911 in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom’s regions.

She stressed the application of a financial penalty of up to 100,000 riyals against anyone who transports holders of visit visas, or attempts to transport them, with the aim of delivering them to the city of Mecca and the holy sites, starting from the first of Dhu al-Qi’dah until the end of the 14th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, and the confiscation of the land transport vehicle that is proven to have been used in transporting holders of visit visas of all types.

The ministry urged everyone to abide by the Hajj regulations and instructions, which aim to preserve the safety and security of pilgrims so that they can perform their rituals with ease and peace of mind.

Do not obstruct the movement of the pilgrims

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stressed the need for pilgrims to adhere to the rules and not to sleep in the corridors and courtyards, in order to ensure their safety and the safety of others during the performance of Hajj rituals.

The ministry stressed that the phenomenon of sleeping on the ground leads to difficulty in the movement of those performing Tawaf and prayers, delays the arrival of ambulance teams when needed, and exacerbates overcrowding cases that threaten public safety.

The ministry urged pilgrims to go to the hotel or camp when they need rest, noting that adhering to the designated place ensures a more comfortable and safe Hajj.

Security officials and specialists confirmed that the penalties announced against violators of Hajj regulations contributed to translating the true concept of Hajj industry by reducing negative phenomena and behaviors that affect the sanctity of the holy sites and are incompatible with the Hajj ritual, most notably sleeping on the ground.

Security expert, retired Major General Salem Al-Mutrafi, stated that the increased security measures and efforts contributed to preventing people from sleeping in the pilgrims' homes by preventing unauthorized individuals from entering the holy sites, and that the penalties helped deter those who intended to violate the Hajj regulations.

Retired Major General Mohammed Al-Ghamdi stated that the awareness campaign implemented by the Ministry of Interior contributed to what we are witnessing in terms of a Hajj that was distinguished in all its aspects, as the holy sites were free of sleeping on the ground and the services were integrated.