Mirwaiz worried over drop in J&K Hajj pilgrims, urges early pilgrimage

Srinagar, Apr 24: While delivering his Friday sermon at Jama Masjid, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, Dr. Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, expressed concern that this year has witnessed one of the lowest numbers of pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir proceeding for Hajj.

He noted a growing trend of people preferring Umrah over Haj or postponing Hajj in anticipation of more convenient conditions, such as cooler seasons. He also observed that many who can afford delay Hajj until they feel all worldly responsibilities are fulfilled, which is not the correct approach.

Emphasizing that while Umrah holds great virtue, Hajj remains an obligatory pillar of Islam for those who can afford it, he said it should not be delayed unnecessarily. “Life and death are in the hands of Allah, and no one knows what tomorrow holds,” he said.

Urging people to undertake Hajj at a younger age if they can afford, Mirwaiz said that Hajj is an Ibadah  that entails physical exertion, and is best performed when one has strength and good health. He cautioned that delaying it indefinitely may lead to missing the opportunity altogether.

He appealed to the Muslim community to give due priority to Hajj and fulfill this fundamental obligation without delay.