Bribing
the policeman to kiss al-Hajar al-Aswad
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reference this fatwa to: www.fatwa-online.com, thankyou!*
Question: (Whilst on Hajj) a man
with his mother approached al-Hajar al-Aswad to kiss it, but
was unable to do so due to the crowds. So, he gave the policeman
(standing) by al-Hajar al-Aswad ten riyals (approximately
£1.80/$2.20). He (the policeman) then distanced the
people from al-Hajar al-Aswad for this man and his mother,
so they both could kiss it. Is this permissible or not? And
is his Hajj acceptable or not?
Response:
If the matter is as mentioned, then the amount this man paid
to the policeman is bribery and not permissible for him to
have paid. The kissing of al-Hajar al-Aswad is a Sunnah
and neither from the pillars of Hajj nor from its requirements.
So whoever is able to touch or kiss it, without harming anyone,
then it is permissible for him. And if he is unable to touch
or kiss it, then he should touch it with a stick and then
kiss it (the stick). And if he is unable to touch it with
his hand or the stick, then he should make a sign towards
it as he comes into line with it (opposite) and should say:
'Allaahu
Akbar'. This is the Sunnah.
As for giving the bribe, then that is not permissible, not
for the one making tawaaf
and nor for the policeman. It is upon them both to repent
to Allaah for that.
And
with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and
salutations upon our Prophet (sal-Allaahu
`alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.
The
Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa
Fataawa al-Hajj wal-'Umrah waz-Ziyaarah - Page 88
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