QUESTION: A Haj agent of SA has announced that it welcomes Ml Sulaiman Ravat who will accompany them in Haj this year and his presence will undoubtedly enhance the spiritual and educational experience of the Hujjaaj. Kindly offer advise how to negotiate this by prospective Hujjaaj who firmly believe Ml Sulaiman Ravat to be more of a celebrity-styled orator rather than an Aalim, forget an Aalim of Haqq. His going against the Ta’lim of his Madrasah and Principal from where he graduated is a blot on his name. How could one even hallucinate Hujjaaj to gain spirituality in the company of a bulldozer of the Shari’at?
Am I thinking correct? Please help.
ANSWER: Before going for Hajj, learn the method, tips and seek advice from the Ulama-e-Haq. If they don’t offer official classes for this, then make an appointment for an individual session with them to achieve this. Surely they won’t shun anyone away from their doors, despite their tight schedules, they will Insha Allah cater to accommodate you.
And if by chance a particular Aalim of Haq can’t accommodate you due to his busy schedule, then seek the help from another Aalim of Haq.
Besides this, their Naseehat given generally in their Majaalis contain tips and answers packed with Spirituality, for the prospective Haaji.
Also, speak about the journey of Hajj and learn tips from either relatives or friends who had recently been for Hajj.
Study a reliable Kitaab explaining the basics of Fiqh, etc. of Hajj as well.
In this way, one will be to a certain extent independent of the preaching of the scholars whose Deeni credentials are questionable, during Haj. Surely, during Hajj there may be Ulama-e-Haq present as well. Take hold of their company as much as one can while on this Sacred Journey. There one will find spirituality in the Genuine meaning of it, and not by TV scholars such as the scholar in question who has turned his back on the Fatwa of TV being Haraam agreed upon by the major Darul Ulooms of SA.
Before going for Hajj, try to book with those agents who have reliable Ulama as their Ameers and/or guides. But if one is forced to go with an agent whose scholars are of those who don’t have regard for the Laws of Deen, and water down the Deen, as known for what they stand for in their views, lectures, venues they attend and company they keep, then keep the above what has been written thus far, in mind.
While on Hajj, the Laws of Deen – for example, a common Law known as Hijaab – have to still be maintained to the best of one’s ability. Meaning, (in the case of the example of Hijaab) one shouldn’t make the excuse of it being difficult to observe Hijaab, etc., and totally discard the Laws of Hijaab and the Deen! Thus, a scholar who is the tour guide has no license to communicate with women for no reason, without having any form of Hijaab and Purdah.
May Allah Ta’ala guide the scholars who are astray to come back on the Correct Track, Aameen.