Hajj Guide to Predators

[waheedah]

This is taken from YM forum

ia43
Active Member

Registered: Jan 2002
Location: U.K.
Posts: 779

Hajj Guide to Predators
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Kind

Please email this guide to everyone that you know is, or may be going for Hajj this year. Better still, print it out and give it to anyone you know who is going on Hajj. It contains some very important and useful information.

Hajj Guide to Predators

I have listed some experiences that I had in the Hajj of 2002, after spending a thoroughly enjoyable three weeks with Al-Hidaayah. This is given as a practical guide with the intention to warn those going for Hajj this year and in future years, about a sad but annoying nuisance.

Since I am of Pakistani origin myself, all of the predators who hunted on me were speaking Urdu. I cannot say if there are also Arab predators on Hajj, but being of Pakistani origin, I would like to remind everyone that Pakistan is regarded as the second most corrupt nation on earth, after Nigeria, so it is understandable that most of the predators on Hajj are either Pakistani or speak Urdu. Sorry if I have offended all those who think Pakistanis are the greatest and most honest people in the World.

1. Type One: Cut Pocketeramus Predator

Hunts: Normally male and alone, accompanied by a piece of paper with Arabic writing all over it. In recent years, a new type of this predator has appeared that is accompanied by women and young children, to add to the sympathy factor.

Variants: Predator may be in ihram, to add to the sympathy factor. Predator normally has a beard and white hat, but not always, to add to the sympathy factor.

Targets: Pilgrims who are in singles or pairs, who look as if they speak Urdu and are possibly wealthy or from the West (signs being eating ice-cream, wearing sunglasses, Western footwear or carrier bags).

Attack strategy: Starts with a salaam and handshake and then, "My dear brother/sister, I am your brother so-and-so from Pakistan/India/Qatar etc. and I came here for Hajj then my pocket was cut in the Masjid-ul-Haram and someone stole all my passport, money, papers, etc.. Here is the Police Report (shows a piece of paper with Arabic writing on it - NOTE: this can be obtained by anyone and does not prove anything- ) so if you could just help me with some money, Allah will reward you." Words may be accompanied by tears in the eyes or crying child/baby.

Defence strategy:

(i) Firstly, show sympathy with the predator, then say "I cannot help you with money, but what I can do is to make dua for you that Allah relieves your problem."

Some predators may go away at this first line of defence, but in recent years, predators have become more aggressive and resistant to this defence mechanism, hence they might say, "Jazakallah for your duas, but can you help me with money as well. I swear by Allah that... Allah is my witness that..." and various other emotional words and oaths such as "I haven't eaten" or "I don't have money to eat" to make you feel bad.

(ii) To this, your response should be: "I believe what you're saying, but I am in need of Allah myself and I cannot help you more than duas," say salaam to him and then walk off.

If after this, the predator still persists with its attack, move onto the third defence mechanism:

(iii) Say to him, "I tell you what, since your problem is quite a big problem, what I'll do is that there are relief organisations here in the country that help people like you, they give you some money and help you get a return air ticket back to your country, so if you come with me, we'll find one of these relief organisations." If the predator hasn't left by then, take him to the nearest Police officer and say to him in Arabic, "haadha yas'al lil-maal" (This man is asking for money), showing the Police officer the piece of paper. Say salaam and leave.

At this stage, the predator will probably be cursing you, questioning your Islam ("What type of Muslim are you? Look at your hat and beard. This is your Hajj is it?") and saying that your Hajj will not be accepted. Ignore him and walk away since the acceptance of Hajj does not depend on giving money to thieves and if you do not deserve the curse, it will go back on him. You will only deserve the curse if he really was genuine, and you accused him of lying. In the above defence mechanism, all you've done is to offer to help him with dua or an alternative solution. You haven't accused him of lying. If he is genuine, you are clear with Allah. If he is a liar, you've exposed him and protected the Muslims from his evil.

2. Type Two: Starvingissimus Predator

Hunts: Single male, sometimes accompanied by women and children. All ages, young and old.

Targets: Pilgrims who are in singles or pairs, who look as if they speak Urdu and are possibly wealthy or from the West (signs being eating ice-cream, wearing sunglasses, Western footwear or carrier bags). Pilgrims in or near restaurants and eating places, or those eating, can expect to be targeted.

Attack strategy: Starts with a salaam and handshake and then, "My dear brother/sister, I am your brother so-and-so from Pakistan/India/Qatar etc. and I came here for Hajj then my pocket was cut in the haram and someone stole all my passport, money, papers, etc. so if you could just help me with some money, I haven't eaten and I don't have any money to eat. Allah will reward you." Words may be accompanied by tears in the eyes or crying child/baby. Variation may not involve lost property, but just a straightforward, "I am your brother in need, I am miskeen (poor, needy)."

Defence strategy:

(i) Firstly, show sympathy with the predator, then say "If you come with me, insha-Allah I will feed you."

At this stage, the predator might say, "I don't want to bother you or waste your time, if you just help me a little, I will get it myself."

(ii) Say to the Predator, "You are my Muslim brother/sister and you have come to me to ask me for food, I want the reward, so come with me and I will feed you." Take him by the arm and ask him to accompany you. If he goes with you, take him to the nearest Indian or Pakistani food outlet, ask him what he wants, pay for it, then sit down and watch/make him eat it (maybe get a drink or something for yourself if you want). If he asks why you are sitting watching him, just say that it gives you pleasure and happiness watching a hungry Muslim brother eat!

In most cases, once you insist on taking the predator to feed, he will leave the area very quickly. A short case study gives my experiences with this type of predator.

Case Study

"One Friday in Madinah, I returned to my hotel after Friday Prayer and was approached by a 60-yr old man with a beard and hat, who said to me, 'Jumuah Mubarak, my son' (which was the first time in my life someone has congratulated me for praying the Friday Prayer!). He then said to me,

'My son, I am your brother in need, I'm elderly, I'm in need, can you help me please?'

I asked him what exactly he wanted and if he was hungry or not, to which he replied,

'Only Allah knows how hungry I am.'

I then offered to take him and feed him, to which he replied,

'My wife and children are waiting for me, so I can't take long. If you can just help me with some money, Allah will reward you.'

I asked him where his family was and that if he brings them, I'll feed them as well, to which he said,

'My family is waiting near Jannatul-Baqee' (the Baqee Cemetry, on the exact opposite corner of the Mosque, the furthest possible place that came to his mind - in fact there was no other place that both him and I knew that could be further away than Baqee!).'

I then said to him that I would go with him to Jannatul-Baqee', and then feed his family, to which he was surprised and said, 'You will come with me all the way to Baqee'?'

I said to him, 'Yes, I will come with you all the way to Baqee' because I will get reward. Come on, let's go.'

He then said, 'But my sister was going to meet me here and she told me to wait for her here.' [What a strange thing to ask your family to meet you in one corner of the masjid and your sister to meet you in the exact opposite corner, a walk of some 25 minutes!]

I told him that we would only be a few minutes, but he was adamant on staying in his place. Then I suggested to him that I will take him to the Shop quickly, buy food for him and his family and then he can come back and wait for his family. Saying that, I held his arm and started to encourage him to come me. He shrugged his arm away and became aggressive. I said to him, 'Why are you being so stubborn when I'm trying to help you?'

I then suggested to him that I will go into my hotel to make Wudu, then take him if his sister hasn't come. I went and watched him from a distance, within minutes he was gone!

[waheedah]

3. Type Three: Hospital-Injuryissimus Predator

Hunts: Single male, normally alone. All ages, young and old.

Targets: Pilgrims in buses and coaches who seem like they are from a Western country, in 'tourist' attractions such as Quba Mosque or Uhud, in Madinah.

Attack strategy: This type of Predators is quite bold and may enter the bus or coach with eyes flowing with tears, starts with a salaam and then announces that a relative has had a serious accident, the hospital treatment needs SR15000 (about US$6000) for treatment within three days else the hospital will refuse to treat the patient. In his hand will be an official, signed, hospital document, containing information in Arabic that most Pakistanis and Urdu speaking people will not understand.

Defence strategy:

(i) Cross-question the predator, asking details about the accident, when it happened, the extent of the injuries, how long the patient has been in hospital for, and his relation to the patient. During this, the predator will normally contradict himself. If he does, ask him to go away or you will take him to the Police.

(ii) If the Predator is intelligent and does not contradict under cross-questioning, take his hospital letter and ring the hospital, asking to speak to the person whose name the letter is signed by. By this stage, you will know the whole story and the predator will be anxious to get his letter and vacate the area.

Case-Study

We were sitting in our bus at Quba Masjid when a Pakistani man in his thirties, entered the bus with tears in his eyes, saying his brother had been in a major car accident and both his legs had been severed. He said the patient was in a hospital in Jeddah and if they did not pay SR15000 (US$6000) for his treatment within five days, the hospital will refuse to operate on him. He had an official, colour letterheaded document in his hand, signed from a hospital in Jeddah.

Upon cross-questioning, the predator said that the patient had been in hospital for 15 days awaiting payment for treatment. The letter (in Arabic) had a quote of an unnamed operation for SR15000 for a named patient who had hurt his legs.

I rang the hospital using the mobile telephone of a brother and spoke to a senior Doctor, giving him the patient's name and reference number. Surprisingly, such a patient and reference number did exist (this predator had done his homework). I asked the Doctor how long the patient had been in hospital, to which he replied, 'three days' and then I asked him the extent of his injuries, to which he said that he had a simple injury (like a fracture) to his leg. He categorically denied that both of the patient's two legs had been severed. Anyway, it was rather strange that a patient who had had both legs severed, would only spend three days in hospital, then go home.

I concluded that this predator must have got hold of an official hospital letter from somewhere (perhaps from a contact inside the hospital), and was using this to get money. I then turned to the predator and admonished him to fear Allah because he had no shame by coming to pilgrims and lying to them just to get money. I told him to leave else I would take him to the Police. He then began to abuse and curse me (having forgotten all his tears and sadness!). As our buses departed, we could see him walking behind our bus shouting, abusing and cursing.

4. Type Four: Madrassah-with-Photo-Folderissimus Predator *WARNING: EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PREDATOR*

Hunts: Alone and in packs of two to three males. Age range from 20 to 40 and over. Of Pakistani origin (of course)

Targets: Pilgrims in buses and coaches; pilgrims in their tents in Mina, who seem like they are from a Western country. Hunts both in Makkah, Madinah and Mina.

Attack strategy: Will enter upon the pilgrims and then a well-spoken spokesman will announce to everyone about a Madrassah or Masjid in Pakistan or India for which they are collecting. He will then show a hard-backed folder, which will contain the following in plastic wallets and in full-colour with blue ink signatures, stamps and embossed seals (that imprint the paper):

(a) 'Photos' of a masjid or madrassah, sometimes with children
(b) The (false) name and details of the spokesmen, with their real photos
(c) Official letters from various Saudi relief organisations and offices mentioning the name of the collectors, the name of their project and that they are accredited and official.
(d) The collectors will be wearing photo ID badges that match the details in the folder.

Due to this folder, this type of predator is extremely dangerous, since most pilgrims will fall for this 'proof'.

NOTE: This type of folder can be purchased for about SR50 (US$15) from Predator dens, which is a good investment for a predator due to the high returns that he gets.

Defence strategy:

(i) Cross-question the predator, asking details about the project, etc. If there is more than one predator, try to separate the pack and individually cross-question each predator (you will need more than one person to do this). Ask the predator what is the project, how much money they need and what for; and how much they have got already. Ask the predator if his organisation has a bank account to which someone can send donations etc. because you have come on Hajj and you cannot help now but if you are convinced of the project, you can transfer money directly to the predator's bank account.

If the predator denies existence of a bank account, he has exposed himself and you can ask him to leave. If he gives you bank details, take them and then say goodbye to him, saying that you will put money into his bank account if you decide to donate to this project. He may, at this stage, try to persuade you to make an immediate donation. Do NOT be persuaded.

If questioning more than one predator, get together (away from them) and compare your stories. If the stories are different, you can ask the predators to leave because they are liars. If the stories match, then ask for the bank details and defend as above.

(ii) If the predators persist in you making an immediate donation, you can then take offensive strategy and say to them that you also know of masjids and madrassahs that are in need of money, but you don't have their names and details to hand, so if the predators give you half of what they have collected, then you can give it directly to those madrassahs in need. That way, two madrassahs, equally in need, can be helped at the same time. If you persist in this request, the predators will probably vacate the area due to the high level of resistance being faced.

Case-Study

Three such men entered our bus when we were about to leave Makkah, after Hajj, to go to Jeddah. They had the same folder and contradicted themselves upon cross-questioning, at which point one of them said, 'I am a taalib-ul-ilm (student of knowledge)', which I found rather strange because no scholar or person of knowledge ever calls himself a scholar or person of knowledge! We then told them to leave the bus immediately else we would call the Police. At this point, the 'Taalib-ul-Ilm' began to abuse and curse us, saying, 'Look at your beards, and you've just done Hajj? What type of Hajj have you done? Will Allah accept your Hajj?' We gave them one more chance to leave else we would call the Police, at which stage they left.

(iii) Third, optional Defence Strategy (use only if you have with you someone who knows Arabic or has some level of Islamic knowledge and Arabic)

If one of the predators claims to be a student of knowledge, he should know Arabic as a necessity. Ask him a simple question IN ARABIC, which any student of knowledge should know the immediate answer to, e.g. "maaza qaala ar-rasool (SAWS) indama sa'alahu jibreel anil-ihsan?" ("What did Jibreel say when the Prophet (SAWS) asked him about Ihsan?") At this point, the predator will probably expose himself if he does not Arabic and nor does he know the answer to such a basic question about Islam. Ask him to leave, or, better still, call a Policeman whilst other keep him busy.

[waheedah]

CONCLUSION

The numbers and types of predators are too many to mention here, but I have given the four main types above. In the Hajj of 2002, I was approached no less than 20 times by the above four types of predators and some variants/mutants. In most cases, I would advise you not to waste your time with a predator, but to call a Policeman and tell the predator that the Policeman will help you. The above defence strategies normally only apply when you are in a waiting place, e.g. a bus, or in your ten in Mina, or eating etc. Do not waste your ibadah (worship) time and your Hajj on a predator and more importantly, do not give him even a riyal else you may be questioned about it on the Day of Judgement since Allah has forbidden the giving of wealth to foolish and ignorant people (Surah Nisa, Ayah 5). If unsure, just offer to make dua for his problem or project as you cannot help him immediately.

If you really want to give your charity to someone, don't give it to a predator as you will just feed their habits. Give it to those who do not ask, such as Bin Ladin Company workers and cleaners, who maintain the Holy Mosques and stay away from their families for several years at a time and who, more importantly, never beg but instead work to earn their money. Alternatively, give your Sadaqah to the poor pilgrims who sleep on cardboard, on streets, but don't give to anyone who begs.

More importantly, warn others in your group about these predators (you can even print out a couple of copies of this guide and share it out amongst fellow pilgrims; and try to cut them off at the route, i.e. don't let them enter your bus or tent, YOU go to them, outside, in order to neutralise their threat. Predators will even steal and pickpocket at the first available opportunity. Wherever possible, try to call a Policeman or security force individual to deal with the predator. Tell the Policeman that someone is asking for money.

Most importantly: don't have mercy on predators - have them locked up so that the innocent pilgrims can be protected from their mischief. (In an Islamic State, these thieves would have their hands cut off for stealing and they might even be lashed for lying.)

That is all I have to say and I pray that Allah protects the sincere pilgrims from the evil of these predators; and that He guides the predators and if He is not going to guide them, then that He punishes them for their evil and mischief with the visitors to His House.



"Do not envy the living except for that which the dead envy the living for."

[Abu Bakr As-Siddique]


__________________
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field,
I'll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass, even the words “you” and “I” do not exist.
RUMI


Last edited by Ibn Al-Khattab on 24th Jan 2003 at 03:43

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24th Jan 2003 03:39
Faizan
New Member

Registered: Jan 2003
Location: manchester
Posts: 4

predators

Salaam

I was on Hajj in 2001 , i found the most effective form of defence ( and the quickest) was to say "Maafi ,maafi" ,avoid eye contact and walk away swiftly......


Allah Hafiz



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24th Jan 2003 05:40



Abu Shuayb
New Member

Registered: Oct 2001
Location: London
Posts: 1

AS-salaaam a lai kum,

i give money to who i can. I carry very little. It is not a problem for me, maybe they need it more than I do. Inshallah the Hajj is not a time to be mean, but it is a time to have patience.

So i give, where i can, spend time in the Haram as much as possible, and avoid, the buying and selling as much as possible.

Sorry this is first post i have given in very long time.

This is my small advice

Jazakallah khair

Abu Shuayb



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25th Jan 2003 03:07



waheedah
New Member

Registered: Jan 2003
Location: _
Posts: 17

Jazakallah for all the practical advices. There are a few similar predators at the place where I stay (got ripped of a few times) but I never thought that they exist at the holy places too!

Here, there are women who adopt such tactics and it seems even more tragic. It is really difficult to ignore someone who pleas for help *sigh*. But after encountering too many of their types (met them when I started to work), I try to avoid being within their vicinity! lol. I look down and just walk away as fast as I can! I haven't been chased so far *phew* but I had bumped into a few things on the road *grins*.




~ I had to post in 3 parts as it was too long to fit in a sinple post~

[Lulua]

Assalaamu alaikum.

It is truly a sad state of affairs that the holy sites have evolved into great stations for beggars and thieves.

I myself have learned to take a more stern attitude to those begging. It is sad to see another human begging...no matter if they appear dirty and torn or neat and clean - it is sad all the same. But to give into their pleadings...only feeds their own habit...as well as encourages those around them as well.

And...as one who frequently visits Makkah in particular...I can vouch for certain that there are plenty of social and government agencies and charities which are dedicated and pointed to helping these ppl out.

But yet they prey on those who are weak in heart towards their pleadings.

Once, while attending the Friday prayers at masjid-al-haram in Makkah, my mother-in-law had a large sum of money stolen from the pocket of her dress. It did not fall out. It was stolen...in the crowding at the exit points. The pocket was a deep and secure pocket at the side...and she was wearing the traditional saudi over-cloak which covers and encloses her whole body from head to toe. And there was no damage nor tear to her cloak or her dress and pocket area. Somehow...someone cleverly pushed their way along with the pushing pulse of the crowd, and sliveringly slipped with the money.

Another relative was wearing a large gold bangle bracelet. Something that the ladies in this area are accustomed to wearing...and something which is difficult to simply slip off without noticing. The woman had it on her wrist...and her dress and outer cloak both covered the jewelry and it's surrounding area. And at the time of the thievery, she was in the state of prayer with the congregation. It was on her arm at the time of standing for the recitation of the quran, and then when she went down for the prostration on the ground, she did not notice anything significant...for she was in the state of prayer and communication with her Creator. And then as she returned to her standing position...or perhaps when the prayer finished and she began to notice the things around her again...she noticed that the bracelet had been slipped away during that prostration!! Aoudhubillah!!!

I myself have not been burgularized at the haram, but I have been confronted countless times by beggars of all sorts. Those described by sis waheeda and many more!! Men, women, children. Good and clean looking ppl, as well as obviously poor and needy and raggedy people. Some I have given to, and others not. For various reasons. Sometimes out of my impatience with their insistence, and sometimes just because I had nothing with me at the time. Once I viewed a man sitting in the stairway exiting from the masjid, and he was not begging...but it was apparent by his appearance that he was crippled as well as obviously in need of some help. And I was going on an errand at the moment, and did not have any money on me at the time. When I met up with my daughter, I asked her for some money if she had anything...and I was intending to give to this poor man as I re-entered the mosque from that same stairway. But...alas...he was there no more!!

I was once confronted by an Egyptian lady with a youngster in her arms...as I was going down into the zamzam section to wash and drink fresh from the well area. She was insistent with me all the way into the faucets area. And so insistent that I give her something. As I was going down the stairs at the time...I was not in easy position to get something out of my bag for her. And as I reached my destination...and had a better look at her and her child...I noticed that she was dressed in better clothes than myself!! And as she was situating her child better in her arms, and her sleeve revealed her arm...to show me the largest bangle bracelets that I have ever seen, I think!! And then I replied to her...'I'll give u some money...if u'll give me some of ur gold!!' And then she said nothing more...and with a sudden change of face and attitude...turned around and left me!!

This is the sort of thing that u have to look out for. They are out there...a terrible combination of the true needy and those simply playing on ppl's emotions. Many times it takes a second look at them to get to understand the situation better...and if u take the advice of sis waheeda...to offer them food or other such help rather than money...then u will find out who is truly in need. And if they take u up on the offer to buy them some food...by all means...follow thru with it!!

A friend of my husband's once...a local scholar/lecturer...was in a mosque giving one of his regular lectures. And as he was there a bit early and stayed a bit late...he saw the crowd come and go...and noticed this apparent blind and crippled man begging on the outer corner of the mosque. Many ppl had given him change and small bills in his cup as they passed. And so the scholar decided to stay a bit longer...and stopped to chat a bit with this 'blind crippled' man. And the man began to tell him his sad story. And the scholar had already notified the police...and they were on their way...just in case this was a faker. And he was talking to this man to ensure his delay until the authorities arrived. Once he noticed them...he threw away his dark glasses (making him appear as if he's blind) and his cane...and got up on the most glorious and strong legs...and ran away to make for an escape!! When the police caught him, and checked in his pockets...they found an enormous sum in the 10's of thousands of Saudi riyals!! If they had found him to be authentic...they would have let him be...and would have taken him to the proper agency to better care for him. But here he was...a perfectly able and healthy man...playing on the emotions of those going for their worship!!! astaghfurAllah!!!

And the stories are truly endless.

The Saudi authorities have a great war on their hands fighting this social problem of epidemic proportions. And they truly do much in their fight against it. But it still exists and nearly every where u go. But seems to be more congested in Makkah. I have been to Madinah as well...as well as other cities like Jeddah and such...and there is begging there. But surely not on the grand scale that it sadly exists in Makkah. Makkah surely seems to have the greatest problem.

May Allah guide those ppl who have come to prey on worshippers...and instill in their hearts the fear of Allah...and help them in their plights. And may Allah help us and enable us to complete our own obligations to Him...and help us to also differentiate between those fakes and the true needy.

Lulua.