Hyderabad, April 27 -- Ahead of the upcoming Haj 1446 AH-2025 season, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's General Secretariat of the Council of Senior Scholars reaffirmed that performing the annual pilgrimage of Haj without a valid permit is a sinful act.

The council has reiterated its previous statement, dated Shawwal 12, 1445 corresponding to April 21, 2024, underscoring that obtaining a permit is mandatory for anyone wishing to perform Haj.

Council Secretary-General Sheikh Dr. Fahd bin Saad Al-Majed said, "The council's fatwa on this matter is based on numerous pieces of evidence and Sharia principles, foremost among them the Islamic teachings that emphasize easing religious duties for worshippers and removing hardship. The requirement to ...