Samaher Saif Al Yazal
Osama Madbouly, the expert and consultant in special education, said that the application of the conditions of legal commissioning to people with disabilities differs according to the type of disability and its intensity, especially with regard to the condition of the mind. Specialized cadres.
He added that «individuals who have lost mental eligibility or those who have no full awareness or those who have lost their ability to discriminate, such as severe autism or mental disability that leads to loss of consciousness, they should never perform Hajj, because they are“ not addresses the principles of Sharia. ”
This ruling is derived from the hadith of the Prophet: “Remove the pen from three: from the sleeper until it wakes up, and from the insane until he wakes up, and from the little one until he is gone.” This means that the absence of a healthy mind is completely removed from the person the legal commission, and therefore it does not apply to the necessity of Hajj.
He continued, “On the other hand, individuals with physical or sensory disabilities (such as kinetic disabilities, visual, or auditory) remain charged with Hajj if they are sane adults. Their disability does not fall from them, but it may require an adaptation in the way of performance or resorting to the prosecution.
For example, if the physically disabled is able to perform the rituals himself, even if with aid or using a wheelchair, the pilgrimage is obligatory. As for the deaf and dumb, they are charged with Hajj as long as they are sane adults, and they must perform the rituals as much as they can.
This accurate discrimination in the application of commissioning reflects a profound understanding of the purposes of Sharia that aims to justice and facilitate.
He explained that «this distinct approach requires an accurate evaluation of the type and intensity of disability, especially with regard to cognitive capabilities. The mere classification of someone as “disabled” is not sufficient to determine the ruling on Hajj. Rather, it takes a medical report that explains the type of disability and the ability of the person to perform the Hajj.
This guarantees that individuals do not carry burdens that cannot tolerate them, and at the same time they are not deprived of the opportunity to perform a great duty that they can do with soft means. This trend is compatible with the principles of Sharia that does not cost a soul except its power, and confirms that acts of worship aim to bring the servant closer to his Lord, even with physical or sensory challenges.
Madbouly emphasized that the rulings of the Hajj and facilities submitted to people with special needs demonstrate the tolerance and flexibility of Islamic law, and their keenness to facilitate acts of worship for all those charged with in proportion to their capabilities and circumstances.
Hajj is not just a physical journey that requires complete physical abilities, but rather a deep religious journey that can be achieved in various forms of those who have restrictions, through legal licenses and practical facilities. This comprehensive understanding establishes the principle that worship in Islam aims to draw closer to God, and that it is not disrupted due to the deficit, but rather facilitated and adapted.
Madbouly indicated that achieving a comprehensive and soft pilgrimage experience for people with special needs requires concerted efforts, adherence to the principles of tolerant Sharia, and benefit from recent developments in the field of services and technology. Thus, the Hajj pilgrimage can be guaranteed to be a blessed religious journey available to all, without discrimination.
He reviewed some recommendations that enhance the pilgrimage experience for people with special needs:
* Improving infrastructure and logistical services:
– Developing and allocating transport companies fully equipped for people with special needs, while ensuring their availability and easy access to all stages of the trip, from the airport to the holy sites.
– Continue to rehabilitate and adapt more facilities in the holy sites and hotels to be a friend of people with disabilities, with a focus on ease of movement and access to all services.
* Enhancing specialized human cadres:
– Increasing the number of accompanying and counselors trained and specialized in dealing with various disabilities, including providing signals of sign language and guides for the blind, to provide effective personal and religious assistance.
– Providing specialized medical care and ambulances equipped adequately within the holy sites and in the accommodation places to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
* Development of coordination and data collection:
– Obliging the Hajj Affairs offices to provide the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in accurate and detailed numbers for pilgrims with disabilities very early, to enable optimal planning and provide services allocated to them in a proactive manner.
– Enhancing coordination between all government agencies, private societies and service providers to provide an integrated and incomplete system of services.
* Take advantage of technology and awareness:
– Developing digital applications to provide soft information and guidance for pilgrims with special needs, focusing on ease of use and providing multiple options (audio, visible, Braille language, in sign language).
– Intensifying awareness and training programs for all workers in the service of pilgrims, to raise their level of understanding of the needs of people with disabilities and how to deal with them with respect and effectiveness.
