The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, is saddened about the loss of many lives at the stoning of the devil rites during the recent Hajj.
He has advised the federal government to encourage Nigerians who go to Hajj in future to skip that part of the rite unless they get spaces close to Jamrat where the stoning takes place.
According to the Nation, Alhaji Sanusi told Sokoto pilgrims in the Holy Land that stoning of the devil is not worth the blood of any Muslim adding that the refusal to perform the stoning of devil rituals does not in any way invalidate one’s Hajj.
He said:“During the era of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), he permitted pilgrims who came on camels to stay in Makkah after Arafat, instead of staying in Mina and sleeping at Muzdalifa.
“So, if the Prophet could give such grace to some people, just to protect their animals, why didn’t our scholars educate our people properly to avoid this untoward hardship and death.
“Therefore, it will be part of my recommendations to the federal government that, if we cannot get accommodation close to Jamrat where the Arabs reside in Mina, then this year may be the last time we will sleep in Mina and Muzdalifa because we want to stone the devil.
“Besides that, if one deliberately refuses to even perform the stoning of the devil rituals, all he needs to do is to slaughter a ram. So, if this is the situation, why do we go and suffer and die instead of sacrificing a ram?
“As is it presently, sleeping in Mina and Muzdalifa is not backed by any Hadith or verse of the Qur’an. So, why do we continue to do it?”
