The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced that pilgrims who wear shorts inside the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah will not only be chased out, but also fined SR 500, about N56,000.
The directive was contained in a statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which was published on the official social media handles of the Haramain Sharifain on Friday, February 18.
NEWS | Individuals will be removed and fined SR 500 who enter Mosques including the Two Holy Mosques wearing shorts
— Inside the Haramain (@insharifain) February 18, 2022
“Individuals will be removed and fined SR 500 who enter mosques including the two holy nosques wearing shorts”, Custodian of Saudi Arabia holy mosques official media posted on Twitter.
Although no reason was given for the latest directive, Muslim News findings however revealed that wearing of shorts (trousers) or any apparel that does not cover men’s awrah (portion of body from naval to below the knee) within and outside the mosques is not allowed in Islam.
According to the Shari’ah, it’s forbidden for mature men to expose their awrah to any person except their wives; and prayers observed with shorts will be invalid if awrah is not covered.
Many Muslim netizens have hailed the government directive, calling it a “great decision”.
“A good decision made by government 👍👍”, Mouzam Ali
“Islamic teachings are not based on fines, make it strictly prohibited, whatever is against Islamic rules & principles,” Ikram Wahidy
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Q. Wearing shorts that do not cover the awrah of adult male Muslims in public, especially to observe solah isn’t allowed in Islam. Should mosques in Nigeria take disciplinary measures (fine or eviction) against members who come to observe solah with shorts above their knees, as done by the Saudi Arabia government in the two holy mosques? Join the conversation HERE