Could you please explain in detail what is so special about the Malaysian experience in Hajj? What are the distinctive features of such an experience?
Answer
Wa`alaikum As-salam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Thank you.
Certainly, Malaysia has developed a very unique and comprehensive system for the management of Hajj. The whole thing starts from the day that a person intends to perform Hajj. He or she would have to register and start the payment on monthly installment to an institution known as Tabung Haj or Hajj Funds. After fulfilling the payment successfully, the fund would decide on the year that he or she would be going to perform Hajj. Then he or she would have to take a course for one to two months about the spiritual and practical aspects of Hajj.
At the end of the course he or she would be able to understand the spiritual as well as practical dimensions of the Hajj.
As for practical, the Hajj Fund has a training place where the pilgrim will be exposed to the way of how to perform tawaf or circumambulation and well as sai`.
In that training area they built a house which looks like the Ka'abah and Safa Wa al-Marwa in order to enable the pilgrim to learn how to do tawafand sai`.
In addition to this, there is a focus on the behavior that a pilgrim should adopt while staying in the Holy land, such as avoiding any kind of conflict or dispute with others.
The full respect to the rules and teachings of Islam while staying in the Holy Land. All in all, the Hajj fund is an experience that other Muslim countries should learn from. For instance, this Fund is one of the richest and more successful business entity. There is few other aspects of the Fund. We may discuss it later.
Name
Dawud
- Ukraine
Profession
Question
I have heard about the Malaysian Hajj Fund. Could you please furnish me with more information about it? Is it really as described?
Answer
As I said earlier, the Fund is one of the successful experience for the management of Hajj.
Firstly, through the Fund, performing Hajj becomes very simple and easy. Thus, the pilgrim needs not to sell any of his or her belongings to go to Makkah. But he or she just needs to plan for his or her Hajj according to his financial capacity. Furthermore, every single Muslim can perform Hajj through this Fund. Thus they don't need to settle the whole amount in one lamp sum but on installment basis which could be started with US30.
Upon depositing, the Fund would invest the money and add its profit to the capital and the capital would grow while the installment would continue as usual. When the amount reaches the required amount for Hajj the Fund would write to the person and inform him that he or she can go for Haj if he or she wants in that year. However, in the event that many people become eligible to go then the Fund will give preference to the elderly people.
Name
Muslim
-
Profession
Question
What are the main activities of the hajj fund in Malaysia? Does it offer services only or does it do some investment?
Answer
I think my answers to the questions submitted do cover the answer to this question.
Name
Kamal
-
Profession
Question
Is it possible to withdraw moeny from the fund while being in Saudi Arabia?
Answer
Yes. It is possible to withdraw money from the fund while being in Holy Land. Furthermore, the Fund do advises pilgrims to avoid carrying with them cash money, thus they can withdraw whatever they want while they are in the Holy land.
Name
Shereen
-
Profession
Question
How much does it cost to go for Hajj through the fund project?
Answer
It is around RM7000 to RM9000 roughly, US2000. This covers ticket, accommodation, meals and transportation in the Holy Land. The pilgrim doesn't pay this amount on spot but gradually and part of it might be covered by the profit from the business which is run by the Fund.
Name
Ahmad
-
Profession
Question
Is the Hajj fund project based on the Shari`ah?
Answer
Yes, it is fully based on Shari'ah principles namely on Mudarabah. All investment of the Fund must be according to the teachings of Islam and the rules that govern the business in Islam. There is a Shari'ah board which supervises all the activities of the Fund.
Name
Dawud
- Ukraine
Profession
Question
What are the roles played by NGO as well as the Malaysian government in running the preparations for Hajj?
Answer
The Fund is partially under the office of the Prime Minister and the government of Malaysia. The structure is as follow: The minister in charge of religious affairs in the Prime Minister’s office, board of administration, board of consultants for investment and for Hajj issues and Executive Officer. Under him there are six sections or units for deposit, Hajj affairs, finance, investment, staff and planning. Each of these sections has sub-units or sections.
Name
Nadrah
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
In your opinion, what is the benefit of generalizing the Malaysian experience in Hajj? Will this be of any help to othe countries?
Answer
There are so many benefits for that experience to be shared by other Muslims countries such as the discipline and systematic ways of performing Hajj, well organized and fully aware of all aspects of Hajj spiritually and practically.
Furthermore, this experience can successfully put an end to the massive indiscipline and disorganization which is rampant. It will lessen the burden of the Saudi
Authorities in the Holy Land, thus more disciplined and organized pilgrims less problems and incident. Less disciplined and less organized pilgrims more problems and incidents.
Moreover, this system helps in performing Hajj with less financial burden. It also encourages investment and savings among low income people. All in all, Malaysian experience deserves to be learnt by other Muslims for be
better and efficient performance of Hajj. God knows better.
Name
Muhannad
-
Profession
Question
Why is the project so successful?
Answer
It is so successful because of many factors, such as political and economic stability, discipline of the people and the respect to the rule of law in all aspects of the life in Malaysia.
In addition to that the good management and team work which is the basic and backbone of the success in Malaysia in general. There are other reasons behind the success of this project in Malaysia.
Name
Muhammad
- Canada
Profession
sales
Question
Assalamualequm..
How can one prepare for the hajj spiritualy and make the most reward of it?
Answer
Wa`alaikum As-salam warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
There is many ways of preparing for the Hajj spiritually. In fact, one needs to prepare him or herself spiritually before going to the Holy Land. This preparation should start by having strong iman and sincerity, repenting to Allah, seeking the forgiveness of Allah and all fellow Muslims.
Name
Heba
-
Profession
Question
Are there any branches for this fund in other cities rather than the capital?
Answer
Yes, there is almost an office for the Fund in all big cities of Malaysia. The people need not to deposit or deal with the office in Kuala Lumpur. It is a very systemic and comprehensive and relaxing experience for the management of Hajj.
