Prayer TimesNowadays, a new method for going on Umrah has emerged. That is, a group of people play the "black cash box" scheme, sending one person from among them to Umrah each month in turn.
For example, ten people join together and play the "black cash box" with the aim of sending one of them to Umrah each month. If the cost of the Umrah trip is 700,000 tenge, each person agrees to contribute 70,000 tenge for the one going on the trip. In this way, all ten people eventually perform Umrah over a set period. The person to go for Umrah may be chosen by drawing lots.
Some scholars consider going for Umrah by such means to be neither sunnah nor mustahabb. In general, they say it is better not to do so. The reason is that the person who goes for Umrah first will later repay the money to those who have not yet gone. In effect, this means the person goes for Umrah on borrowed money. This act is considered makruh (disliked). Because,
«Алла Тағала ешбір адамға шамасы келмейтін міндетті жүктемейді» (Surah Al-Baqarah, 286)
It is not obligatory for a person who cannot afford it to perform Hajj or Umrah.
Allah says in the Qur'an:
«Жақсылық және тақуалық жолында бір-біріңе жәрдемші болыңдар» (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 2)
From this verse, it is understood that helping each other in marriage, building a house, repaying debts, and other necessary matters is encouraged. However, it is difficult to say that going for Umrah on borrowed money is truly a form of help.
In our Sharia, taking a loan is only recommended for essential needs or in cases of hardship. The Umrah is not an obligatory act of worship. Therefore, a person intending to go for Umrah should avoid taking on debt if possible.
Hasan AMANKUL
"Munara" newspaper, No.4, 2023
This content was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor.