Regarding the Sacred Sites in Saudi Arabia: It is known, O Shaykh, that Mina is a resting place for whoever arrives first, so some groups rent out locations to people.

The Shaykh : Yes!

The questioner : May Allah reward you. Regarding the Sacred Sites in Saudi Arabia, the two Holy Mosques, it is known, O Shaykh, that: "Mina is a resting place for whoever arrives first," as stated in the hadith. Some groups, I mean, the groups rent out locations, for example, near the Jamarat, they rent them out to people. What is the ruling on this matter?

The Shaykh : Who is doing the renting?

The questioner : I think there are entities in Saudi Arabia, whether official or private, that rent to the groups. These groups then either sell them to the people who deal with them, or rent them out, or sell them, something like that. So what should one do if this matter is not permissible? What is the situation for the pilgrim? What does he do?

The Shaykh : By Allah, Abu 'Umar, this problem was one of the issues we used to discuss. It is one of the rulings that contradict the Shari'ah. So it is not permissible to sell, buy, rent, or invest in Mina during the Hajj season: as mentioned in some hadiths, even though there is weakness in their chains, but the Muslims acted upon this. If the state does this in the form of renting and leasing, it is a religious violation. However, if it is in the form of taxes, the matter of taxes is divided into two categories: one category, which is the majority, consists of unjust taxes that are not prescribed, and the other category consists of taxes that may be permissible due to the state's need for money beyond what it receives from lawful sources. If the taxes imposed on some Muslims, and not all Muslims, are permissible, then they are allowed. But to say that this type of renting and leasing is first: a tax from the state, and second: a permissible tax, this is something we cannot do unless we know the reality of the renting and leasing. I am hearing for the first time that the state rents out. If this is a true matter, then there is no power and no strength except in Allah. But what I know is that the state, in the capacity of organization, gives to some of those they call mutawwifin or muzzawirin, it designates specific areas for them so that they can lodge their pilgrims there. If these mutawwifin or muzzawirin then, in turn, rent out this piece of land, or part of this piece of land that was given to them for organizational purposes, then the money they take is illicit. As for the state taking a fee, I do not know of this. No, but the answer is what I heard. Yes?

The questioner : To the best of my knowledge, it is private property, meaning it belongs to individuals, and they rent it out to people. They rent it out to the groups so that the groups can benefit from it.

The Shaykh : Private property of individuals?

The questioner : That is to the best of my knowledge.

The Shaykh : Allah knows best. In any case, I think the answer is clear.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.