Question
Please comment on the permissibility of obtaining a Saudi iqaamah (residence permit). Many South Africans are opting to obtain a Saudi iqaamah for the purpose of travelling to Saudi Arabia in order to perform Nafl Umrah and Hajj without having to obtain the necessary visas. In order to obtain the iqaamah they are required to falsify documentation and also lie about their profession as only certain professionals are given an iqaamah whereby they can include their spouse and children. Furthermore, in order to obtain the iqaamah a kafeel (sponsor) who is a Saudi citizen is required. Such a kafeel has to be paid. It is claimed that the payment is in lieu of the 'services' and governmental fees that will be required.
Answer
This method of obtaining Iqaamah is not permissible for the following reasons:
1) Falsification of documents for no valid Shar'i reason.
2) Deceiving a Muslim authority without valid Shar'i reason.
3) Speaking lies regarding professions, i.e. to claim a profession when one in reality is not of that profession. 4) The fee paid to the kafeel is a haraam bribe. He is actually being made for the use of his name.
5) The kafeel too is guilty of lies. He is fully aware that the person is not in his employ, yet he masquerades as the employer.
6) There is no valid Shar'i reason for the perpetration of this falsehood.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 20 No 06
- PDF page
- 4
Appears under Questions and Answers (approximate).