Elderly Pilgrims and Risti Are Allowed Not to Stay Overnight in Muzdalifah and Mina, Not Obliged to Pay Dam

Dream - The Consultant for Hajj Rituals of the Saudi Arabian PPIH Working Area in Madinah, KH Ahmad Wazir Ali, said that elderly pilgrims are allowed not to stay overnight in Muzdalifah and Mina.

In addition, the stoning of the Jamarat can also be delegated or substituted by other pilgrims. He asked elderly Hajj pilgrims not to force themselves to perform voluntary acts of worship while in the Holy Land.

This category of pilgrims is advised to focus on preparing themselves for the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage in Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina (Armuzna).

"The exemption for the elderly from staying overnight is waived, and the stoning of the Jamarat can be delegated. There is no need to go to Muzdalifah or Mina. Sick people don't need to be taken there," said Wazir, as quoted from liputan6.com, Monday, June 19, 2023.

Wazir urged sick Hajj pilgrims to perform the ihram with conditional intention (isytirath).

If there are obstacles on the way to Mecca, the pilgrims can directly perform tahalul and are allowed to do what is prohibited during the state of ihram.

"Elderly pilgrims or risti need to assess their capabilities. They must know themselves. Even if they cannot perform the rituals like normal people, they can still receive rewards," said Kiai Wazir emphatically.

Meanwhile, the Consultant for Hajj Rituals of the Saudi Arabian PPIH Working Area in Mecca, KH Ahmad Kartono, said that pilgrims who are sick, elderly, physically weak, and disabled are allowed not to stay overnight in Muzdalifah and Mina during the peak of the upcoming Hajj. They also do not need to pay dam/fine for not staying overnight.

"People who have syar'i excuses (legitimate excuses) such as sick pilgrims, the elderly, the physically weak, and the disabled are granted concessions or rukhsah, one of which is not staying overnight in Muzdalifah and Mina, and they are not subject to paying dam," said Kartono.

The permission not to stay overnight in Muzdalifah and Mina, Kartono said, is proven by the statement of Imam An-Nawawi in the book Syarkh al-Muhadzab which means:

"A person who does not stay overnight in Muzdalifah and Mina due to an excuse is not required to pay dam. Those who fall under the category of excuses are those who leave their wealth and are afraid of losing it if they stay overnight, those who are afraid of getting sick if they stay overnight, those who are sick and find it difficult to stay overnight, those who take care of sick people, those who take care of runaway slaves, and those who are busy with affairs/work that will be neglected if left behind."

3 Highest Diseases Causing Indonesian Pilgrims to Die in the Holy Land during the 2023 Hajj Season

Dream - The Integrated Hajj Information and Computerization System (Siskohat) recorded a total of 68 Indonesian pilgrims died in the Holy Land until the 24th day of the Hajj operation. This number is the highest since 2017, during the same period.

The Indonesian Hajj Health Clinic (KKHI) released that 30 of them are categorized as non-risti (not at high risk).

The Head of KKHI in Mecca, Dr. Edi Supriyatna, explained that the cause of death for non-risti pilgrims is heart disease, specifically cardiogenic shock and myocardial infarction. Both of them are the two highest diseases causing death among pilgrims in general.

Edi added that those non-risti pilgrims did not suddenly have a heart attack while in the Holy Land. They actually already had a history of heart disease but were unaware of it.

According to data from the Health Services for Hajj in Saudi Arabia 2023, there are three diseases with the highest number of deaths among Hajj pilgrims. Among them are acute myocardial infarction (20 cases), cardiogenic shock (16 cases), and stroke (5 cases) out of a total of 66 deaths as of June 15, 2023.

Acute myocardial infarction is a heart disease caused by blockage in the coronary arteries.

Dr. Aditya, a member of the Medical Team of the Indonesian Hajj Health Clinic (KKHI) in Mecca, said that cardiogenic shock is one of the final stages of a heart attack characterized by a decrease in blood flow to the organs due to a decrease in cardiac output.

"Cardiogenic shock does not occur suddenly, there are several triggering factors, especially in Hajj pilgrims at high risk," he said.

According to Aditya, the risk factors include blocked heart blood vessels, uncontrolled hypertension, infection, and worsening of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) prior to the Hajj pilgrimage, as well as stress.

KKHI also advises Hajj pilgrims who are susceptible to heart disease to maintain their health before the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage on the 9th of Zulhijjah.

"Hajj pilgrims should not force themselves to perform prayers and Umrah in Masjid al-Haram. The five daily prayers can be performed in the hotel prayer rooms. Performing voluntary Umrah requires physical preparation and is a strenuous act of worship," he said.

Strenuous physical activities can cause fatigue and trigger relapses and complications of chronic diseases, such as heart disease.

"Therefore, Hajj pilgrims with a history of chronic diseases should refrain from engaging in strenuous outdoor activities, such as voluntary Umrah and prayers in Masjid al-Haram," added Edi.

Source: merdeka.com