In the context of the global Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), which is slowly but very methodically incapacitating the world, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has instructed all pilgrims to refrain from undertaking the Hajj this year.
Although many Muslims condemn such drastic measures, it is important to understand that such a decision has been made in order to prevent the spread of the virus and to care for the health of pilgrims. Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine, so the only way to defeat the virus is to minimize the possibility of infection. This, of course, requires maintaining social distance and avoiding physical contact.
If we refer to history, we can find out that there have been several cases of suspension of Hajj rites throughout history. All these difficult events have taught us one important thing: never to lose hope because after every difficulty, there is always hope for a better tomorrow.
Massacre of the year 865
It is said that in 865 Ismail bin Yousef undertook a terrifying attack on Mecca. Standing on the Mountain of Arafat, Ismail ordered countless pilgrims to be slaughtered. As a result of appalling bloodshed and conflict with the Abbasid Caliphate, the authorities had to suspend the Hajj for all the pilgrims for one year.
The 930 Attack on Mecca
Historical records claim that more than 30 000 pilgrims were killed during the infamous massacre of 930. Abu Taher Al-Janabi, the leader of the Qarmatians sect, led the attack. Considering the pilgrimage ritual as an act of apostasy, Al-Janabi and his followers killed several Muslims in Mecca by dumping their bodies in the holy Zamzam well. Moreover, together with his unit he looted the Grand Mosque and took the Black Stone to Bahrain together with them.
This incident led to the fact that pilgrims had not undertaken the Hajj for about ten years. Pilgrimage was finally restored only when the Black Stone was returned to the Kaaba.
The 983 Political Dispute
Over the years, history has told us of numerous political disputes that have affected a large number of people. This was also the case in 938, when discourses aroused between the ruling powers of the Abbasid Caliphate in Iraq and Syria and the Fatimid Caliphate in Egypt.
The fight between the two opposing Muslim empires led to the suspension of the Hajj for all the Muslims for more than 8 years.
Series of epidemics
In 1831 a plague came from India, killing 75% of pilgrims. The Kingdom had to suspend all Hajj activities on account of increasing deaths.
Between 1837 and 1858, the Hajj was suspended three times for all pilgrims. The year of 1837 brought another contagion, which prolonged the prohibition on undertaking Hajj for another three years. Almost all Hajj activities were suspended after more than 15 000 pilgrims had died from the first cholera outbreak. Last but not least, in 1858, the cholera murrain returned, only this time killing up to 90 000 pilgrims. With the pilgrims forcing towards quarantine camps on Egypt’s Red Sea shores, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had to reschedule all pilgrimage activities.
Ilmira Gafiyatullina
Photo: Creative Commons