The Sheikh pointed to the words of God Almighty: “And whoever intends therein any deviation [from truth] or wrongdoing - We will make him taste a painful punishment” (Surat Al-Hajj: 25), explaining that this verse is an explicit divine warning against committing any injustice or aggression within the sanctuary, stressing that his sin is doubled because of the greatness of the place, the sanctity of the time, and the sanctity of the person in ihram.
He stressed that the legal rule does not exclude anyone, even if the perpetrator of the attack is a member of the security forces, as his sin is greater because he betrayed the trust that he was entrusted with, and violated the sanctity of the House of God that he was ordered to preserve and protect, not to be attacked or transgressed against.
Sheikh Abdul Qawi stressed that the assault committed by the security officer against the pilgrim inside the Grand Mosque in Mecca is a crime forbidden by Islamic law, and its sin is more severe in the sight of God than others, due to the great status of the sanctity of the Grand Mosque in Islamic law.
He called for the perpetrator to be held accountable and punished in a way that would deter others, stressing that aggression in the Holy Sanctuary is not like any aggression in other places, but rather the sin and punishment are doubled in it.
He concluded his fatwa by saying: “The sanctity of the sanctuary and the sanctuaries is above all authority, and whoever commits injustice in the sanctuary has defied God Almighty.”
The video – which was less than a minute long – shows the moment the security guard overstepped his authority, as he raised his hands on the pilgrim while he was sitting with his wife inside the mosque, while the pilgrim told him: “Don’t touch me… I’m speaking to you with all politeness and respect, you should treat me the same way.”
The video also documents the pilgrim asking his wife to film the incident with her mobile phone, commenting: "Film it... we are being humiliated in Saudi Arabia by the security officer."
The real reasons that led to this tension inside the Grand Mosque have not yet been revealed, nor whether there was a misunderstanding or a violation by one of the parties of the regulations in force in the mosque.
The video sparked widespread outrage among social media users in Egypt, with many expressing their shock that such an incident could occur n the Holy Mosque.
