It is better to postpone Umrah than to go into debt

SHAH ALAM - It is better to postpone or cancel an Umrah pilgrimage than having to go into debt to pay additional costs.

Pahang Mufti, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Osman said if you study the rulings in Islam, eventhough it is obligatory to perform Hajj , it is subjected to those who are only able to afford it.

"So, I am sure that the average person who goes for Umrah it is mainly for visiting purposes as the only

obligatory Umrah only needs to be performed during Hajj season.

"It is not necessary that we have to go into debt just to perform Umrah. If we are not able financially, it is better to use the money that has been set aside for other acts of charity ," he said.

Rahman said helping people around you for an example llike neighbours who need financial help, is more rewarding than going to the holy land to perform Umrah with debt,

He said this when asked to comment on the sudden last-minute increase in umrah package prices following the current hotel rates hike in Mecca and Madinah.

Rahman's view was also echoed by Center for Sharia Studies, Faculty of Islamic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Associate Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Izhar Ariff Mohd Kashim.

According to Mohd Izhar, it is better for a person to cancel his Umrah if he is unable to afford it.

He explained that this is to avoid harm to himself and his family if he has to go into debt to perform Umrah.

"When it gets to this point (having to go into debt), it takes away all sincerity of worship it then becomes a burden. So cancelling the intention of performing Umrah is the best decision.

"After cancelling their intention to perform Umrah, they are advised to continue to save until they are able to afford it." he said.

Izhar explained that performing Umrah is voluntary and not necessarily obligatory unlike Hajj, however the act of worship can turn into something that is sinful if it causes pilgrims to be in heavy debt.

" If you can't afford it, don't go. Islam forbids us to do harm to ourselves and others," he said.

Previously Penang Mufti Datuk Seri Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor, had advised individuals who were unable or could not afford to perform umrah that there was no need to go into debt.

"Anyone who is unable to perform Umrah due to insufficient funds need not go, this is because Hajj and Umrah are only obligatory for those who are financially capable," he was reported as saying.