Swine Flu threatening Hajj Season

May Allah swt make the pilgrimage easy for the hajjis, Ameen!

According to Yahoo,

The threat from the A(H1N1) virus prompted a string of governments to place restrictions on citizens making the pilgrimage to the holy places in Saudi Arabia traditionally made by many Muslims during Ramadan, while financial worries forced many families to cut back on their holiday spending.

In the Saudi cities of Mecca and Medina, which normally do a brisk trade from pilgrims during Ramadan, businesses were braced for their worst holy month in years.

The price for package tours for Saudis from Riyadh to Mecca has been slashed by 25 percent, the English language Saudi Gazette reported.

In neighboring Medina, officials said they expected business to be down by 70 percent.

Saudi newspapers showed pictures of pilgrims wearing face masks to ward of the swine flu, which has killed 16 people and infected more than 2,000 in the kingdom.

Just some Hadith and an ayah from the Holy Qur’an to reflect on

The Prophet –peace be upon him- said, “A sick person (with contagious disease) must not be brought among the healthy.” (Abu Dau’ud, Hadith 3911)

Allah says in the Qur’an, “Do not contribute to your destruction with your own hands…” (2:195)

The Prophet –peace be upon him- said, “If you are in a land and plague breaks out there, then do not leave that place. If you are told that it is spreading in some land and you are not there, then do not go there.” (Muslim, Hadith no. 5731)

Are any of you going to hajj this year?

Source