Makkah: the Arabian city in which the Masjid al-Haram and the Kab’a are located. Madinah: another Arabian city in which the Blessed Prophet Muhammad salallahu alayhi wassalam is buried. Both cities and the outskirts of Madinah are the only two places the Qur’an was revealed. Thus, these two cities are the holiest cities in Islam.
Makkah and Madinah are so holy, only Muslims may experience the winder and amazement they hold. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter either city, by law. Even simply traveling through Makkah or Madinah is impossible unless one is a Muslim.
This fact bothers many non-Muslims. They ask, how would Muslims like it if there was a part of the US or some other country where they couldn’t go? Of course they would get irritated and call it discrimination. But Muslims can get away with outlawing non-Muslims from two complete cities?
However, there is good reasoning behind such a restriction.
First, are people in all countries allowed access to absolutely every part of the country? Obviously, private property is off limits except under certain circumstances, but what about government owned land? Public places, state parks, and more are all open to the public – sometimes for a price.
But what about other places? Such as military land? I’m a citizen of the US, yet I can’t enter military bases without being in the military or accompanying a military member. In every country there are certain areas where the common citizen cannot enter. Only citizens enrolled in the military or those who are connected with the defense of the country are allowed in military areas.
Similarly, Islam is the ‘universal religion’ for the entire world and all its inhabitants. The ‘military bases’ of Islam are Makkah and Madinah, where only those who believe in Islam and are involved in the defense of Islam are allowed to enter.
It would illogical for a common citizen to argue against the rules and regulations that prevent them from setting foot on a military base. We accept the fact that such places are off-limits to those who aren’t involved in the military or the country’s defense.
Also, whenever someone travels to a foreign country he/she is often required to apply for a visa. The visa is the permission he/she needs to enter the country they are applying to. Every country has its own laws regarding the issuance of a visa, and unless their criteria are satisfied, a country has the ability to not issue a visa.
Entry into Makkah and Madinah is based upon a visa. In this case, the visa is the utterance of the shahadah (article of faith) and believing absolutely in the words with one’s heart. Being a Muslim is the criteria Saundi Arabia has in order for one to enter the two holiest cities of Islam. Without meeting this criteria, then one cannot expect to travel to or through Makkah or Madinah.
There is logic non-Muslims can accept behind why they cannot enter the two holiest cities in Islam. The two reasons listed here are not reasons based upon discrimination. The government of Saudi Arabia is not outlawing non-Muslims from Makkah and Madinah out of spite or simply because it have the power to do so. Muslims are the defenders of Islam, and Makkah and Madinah are their bases so to speak. They also meet the requirements to enter these two stunning places. Thus, only Muslims are allowed to set foot in both Makkah and Madinah.
I think this restriction has more to do with Saudi government laws and interpretations than Islam. This restriction is against the true spirit of Islam. I have read some references prohibiting non-muslims from Makkah and Madinah in some very strict interpretations of Quran and Sunnah. But, I have also read many others Ulema and Islamic scholars who argue against this restriction. Not to forget that Saudi government follows a very strict brand of Islam.
ReplyDeleteWhen, we say, Islam is meant for all humanity and our prophet Muhammad PBUH is "Rahmat-ul-Alameen" meaning for all of humanity. Why would Islam and our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would be prohibitive of non-muslims from even visiting these places?
I know during early days of Islam, when Islamic caliphate consisted of only Makkah and Madinah, muslims were surrounded by non-muslims, and there was constant existential threat to this fragile community. This was medieval time, when people and communities and kingdoms were often warring with surrounding peoples and communities. So, I believe lot of those references stem from this particular environment. I know some scholars who
emphasize on literal interpretation of Quran and Sunnah would be supportive of such restriction and they would draw similarity that Makkah and Madinah are Muslims forts and should be protected.
Islam is supposed to be an open and accepting religion. Restricting people who are outside the fold of Islam from visiting holy cities is just against true Islam and its objectives. When our prophet (PBUH) Sunnah and tradition was to be good and generous to non-muslims who would be guests to Prophet (pbuh). And, remember, our prophet lived in Madinah for most of later part of his life. So if our prophet PBUH said to be kind and generous to non-muslim guests who would visit Prophet (pbuh) home in Madinah, how could non-muslims could have been possibly disallowed to even enter Madinah?
Allowing anyone to visit these cities can only help in introducing Islam to non-muslims and help them understand the great environment and collective prayers which are performed in those holy cities. I have come across many people here in the U.S who showed curiosity about Makkah and Madinah, and Im sure they would be disappointed if I tell them that they cannot visit these places just because they are not muslims.
- B