[Sheelldaw]

Ml. Taliban, I don't understand why you are encouraging people to perform Nafl Hajj and Umrah's as a substitute for holidays. You mention and agree with the concept that if something is not mandatory according to the Shariah, then it is not permissible to pursue it if it entails dabbling in the Haraam or if there is any threat to our Imaan. Are you not aware of the fitan of airplanes, airports, traveling, etc ... ? Is is possible for any Muslim (scholar or otherwise) living in these times to say that their Imaan is so strong, knowing that even Ameerul Mu'mineen Umar (RA) doubted his own Imaan by inquiring if he was in the list of munaafiqs!? How in the world would it be permissible to travel for a Nafl Hajj or Umrah if one's iman is risked in just the journey there? Especially since one can acquire the reward of an accepted Hajj and Umrah by merely performing ishraq prayer!? If one were to go there and perform them himself - there is no guarantee of acceptance - but thru Ishraq prayer there is!

I humbly request you to revise your advice to remain consistent, and to explain if there is no need to. Also, please include a list of activities and other things which money is spent on that are in and of themselves permissible, but are rendered impermissible due to extravagance or being a waste of money. What would really be awesome, is an objective criterion which lay-people can use to judge for themselves what constitutes extravagance.

Another question: What forms of charity are mandatory upon a believer, apart from Zakaat - such that it becomes blameworthy if one does not participate in them. For example, many in the Ummah are starving - is one a sinner if they 'merely' pay their Zakaat and nothing else? How much of your wealth do you have to spend on others who are needy, before one is justified in spending a penny more than what is required for survival on their own selves?