Khaberni - The former advisor to the Egyptian Minister of Endowments, Sheikh Salama Abdel Qawi, in a fatwa published on his official platforms, confirmed that assaulting pilgrims or Umrah performers inside the Holy Mosque is religiously forbidden.
Sheikh Abdel Qawi referred to the words of Allah Almighty: "And whoever intends [to commit] any wrongdoing or injustice in it, we will taste him a painful punishment" (Surah Hajj: 25), explaining that this verse serves as a clear divine warning against committing any injustice or aggression inside the Holy Sanctuary, emphasizing that its sin is magnified due to the grandeur of the place, the sanctity of the time, and the inviolability of the person performing Ihram.
He also affirmed that the legal principle does not exempt anyone, even if the aggressor is a member of the security forces, as his sin is greater because he has betrayed the trust entrusted to him, and violated the sanctity of God’s house, which he was ordered to preserve and secure, not by crushing or trespassing in it.
Sheikh Abdel Qawi emphasized that the attack by the security personnel on the person performing Ihram inside the Holy Mosque is considered a crime that is religiously forbidden, and its sin is severer in the sight of Allah than others, due to the great importance of the sanctuary’s sanctity in Islamic law.
He demanded accountability for the perpetrator and punishing him in a manner that deters others, asserting that aggression in the sanctuary is not like any aggression in other places; rather, the sin and punishment are magnified therein.
He concluded his fatwa by saying: "The sanctity of the sanctuary and those in Ihram is above all authority, and whoever commits injustice in the sanctuary has defied Allah Almighty."
The video - which did not exceed a minute in duration - shows the moment when the security personnel exceeded his authority, raising his hands against the Umrah performer while he was sitting with his wife in the sanctuary, while the latter responded saying: "Your hand should not reach out... I am speaking to you with all politeness and respect, you should behave the same."
The clip also documents the Umrah performer asking his wife to record the incident with her mobile phone, commenting: "Record... We are being humiliated in Saudi Arabia by the security personnel."
The real reasons that led to this tension inside the Haram Mosque have not yet been disclosed, nor whether there was a misunderstanding or a breach by any party of the regulations in force in the sanctuary.
The clip triggered a widespread wave of discontent among social media users in Egypt, where many expressed their shock at such an incident occurring in the house of God, the Haram.
