Published by admin on 20 Apr 2006 at 10:01 pm
NON-MUSLIMS NOT ALLOWED IN MAKKAH
Question: Why are non-Muslims not allowed in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah?
Answer:
It is true that non-Muslims are not allowed in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, by law. The following points will serve to elucidate the possible reasoning behind such a restriction.
1. All citizens are not permitted in the cantonment area
I am a citizen of India. Yet, I am not permitted to enter certain restricted areas like the cantonment. In every country there are certain areas where a common citizen of that country cannot enter. Only a citizen who is enrolled in the military or those who are connected with the defence of the country are allowed in the cantonment area. Similarly Islam is a Universal Religion for the entire world and for all human beings. The cantonment areas of Islam are the two holy cites of Makkah and Madinah. Here only those who believe in Islam and are involved in the defence of Islam i.e. the Muslims are allowed.
It would be illogical for a common citizen to object against the restriction on entering a cantonment area. Similarly it is not appropriate for non-Muslims to object against the restriction on non-Muslims against entering Makkah and Madinah.
2. Visa to enter Makkah and Madinah
a. Whenever a person travels to a foreign country he has to first apply for a visa i.e. the permission to enter that country. Every country has its own rules, regulations and requirements for issuing a visa. Unless their critera are satisfied they will not issue a visa.
b. One of the countries which is very strict in issuing a visa is the United States of America, especially when issuing visas to citizens of the third world. They have several conditions and requirements to be fulfilled before they issue a visa.
c. When I visited Singapore, it was mentioned on their immigration form - death to drug traffickers. If I want to visit Singapore I have to abide by the rules. I cannot say that death penalty is a barbaric punishment. Only if I agree with their requirements and conditions will I be permitted to enter the country.
d. The Visa – The primary condition required for any human being to enter Makkah or Madina is to say with his lips, La ila ha illallah Muhammed ur Rasulullah meaning that ‘there is no God but Allah and Muhammed (pbuh) is His Messenger.’
By Dr Zakir Naik
Adam on 20 Apr 2006 at 10:29 pm #
I was just wondering when this came into effect or was it there since the Prophet’s time. Even though I am a muslims I believe that non-muslims should be allowed into these cities too so that they can view for themselves. As far as I know, holy places of other religions have no problems with Muslims entering them.
bottle on 06 May 2006 at 4:33 am #
and so that’s why there are so much misconception on Muslims, when Muslims shut themselves from the rest of the world. It is a reality, that there are other religions in the world, and each of these religions believe that their religions are the true one.
Now, what you mentioned is pretty skewed. Yes, a country has its own right to issue visas accordingly. You did not provide specific info for US visa, so i shall not comment. But looking at your resaoning for Singapore’s visa, it’s such a wrong train of thoughts. Singapore say that drug trafficking is punishable by death. What has it got to do with “death penalty is a barbaric punishment” ? When you mention “Only if I agree with their requirements and conditions will I be permitted to enter the country”, you make it seems like you have to agree that death punishment is not a barbaric act, and only by that, you can enter Singapore. Not true. even if u believe that death punishment is a barbaric act and and act of sin, Singapore will allow you in.
Singapore is only warning you that, if you are involved in drugs in that country, if you are caught, you are to face the death penalty. If you believe that dealth penalty is barbaric, Singapore doesn’t care.
Please get yout train of thoughts correct.
kronfeld on 26 Jul 2006 at 2:51 pm #
Mr Bottle,
As per the Singapore example provided, just imagine that when u are at the Singapore Airport immigration counter, right after the gentleman behind the counter asks you “Business of leisure?”, then u answer “Leisure, sir, by the way i seriously think your country’s punishment of drug trafficking is a bit harsh, barbaric even”. No thank you, you’ll be refused entry and be on the next flight out of singapore. Simple.
So Mr Bottle, Singapore does care, but upon seeing your silence on this matter it is assumed that you are in agreement to the policies of the country. So silence is virtue
So on second thought, Mr Bottle, it is important to explore all angle of views before one can formulate a proper opinion.
But sometime, people learn from mistakes, dont we Mr Bottle?
Cheers!
razputin on 01 Aug 2006 at 9:22 pm #
Hi Mr Adam,
Non-Muslims may visit other places of worship such as the Jamek mosque in KL and the mosque in Putrajaya, Malaysia. There are guides (most of the time) to assist these visitors. If there are certain rooms in our house which are off limits to visitors, I believe Makkah and Madinah is similar in this case.
If non-Muslims would like to visit Makkah and Madinah, he or she can recite and understand the shahadah mentioned in 2d in the post above and he or she has made the first step to visiting the 2 cities.
When Surah Taubah verse 28 (9:28) was revealed after the liberation of Makkah from the Quraisy people, non-Muslims are not allowed into the city of Makkah. I have not come across any commandments in the Quran which bars non-Muslims from entering Madinah. May be someone can enlighten us on this.
Makkah and Madinah are unlike other cities. Makkah is a place where Muslims of various peoples and creed converge to this one place to perform pilgrimage and worship. Muslims do not enter Makkah as tourists. Perhaps if non-Muslims are allowed into the city of Makkah and Madinah, it will be harder for the authorities to ensure everyone behaves accordingly. To avoid complexity and confusion, it may be better to only allow Muslims in these 2 cities. Allah knows best.