Draft:Biʿtha al-Ḥajj

Biʿtha al-Ḥajj (Arabic: بِعثَة الحج, lit. 'The Hajj Mission') refers to the offices of the representatives of Maraji' in Mecca and Medina during the Hajj season. The members of the Hajj Mission are prominent scholars and Mujtahids who are tasked with answering the religious and jurisprudential questions of the pilgrims. They also respond to the clergy present in Hajj regarding Newly Occurring Issues (masāʾil mustaḥdatha) and discuss jurisprudential dilemmas related to Hajj. The history of the Bi'tha dates back to before the Islamic Revolution of Iran and the early 1340s Sh (1960s).

The Hajj Mission of the Leader of Iran is a non-governmental and non-profit institution, but with an independent legal personality, which was formed in Shahrivar 1358 Sh (September 1979) by the decree of Imam Khomeini to manage the religious affairs of the pilgrims. This mission operates under the supervision of the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The person in charge of supervising the affairs of the pilgrims is called Amir al-Hajj.

The offices of the Bi'tha typically undertake actions such as explaining religious rulings, answering emerging jurisprudential issues, holding educational sessions, and promoting the religious culture of the Ahl al-Bayt (a). Other activities include holding worship ceremonies, providing cultural needs, and organizing international meetings. It is said that the offices of the Bi'tha, using Hajj diplomacy, work to strengthen the united Islamic Ummah, and supervision of services for pilgrims and prevention of disrespectful behaviors are among its other duties.

Introduction and History

Reflection of the establishment of the Hajj Mission in Al-Adl magazine of Najaf, 1968.

Bi'tha al-Hajj refers to the offices of the representatives of Maraji' in Mecca and Medina during the Hajj season. It is said that the history of the Bi'tha offices dates back to the early 1340s Sh (1960s), when their activities were very limited. According to some officials of the Hajj missions of Shi'a Maraji', the establishment of the first Hajj mission is attributed to Muhsin al-Tabataba'i al-Hakim or Mahmud al-Husayni al-Shahrudi, among the Shi'a Maraji'.

It is said that the members of the Maraji' Bi'tha offices are scholarly figures, Mujtahids, and prominent personalities, who are fully familiar with the jurisprudential opinions of their Marja'. The management of the Bi'tha offices is, in most cases, undertaken by the children of the Maraji' or their plenipotentiary representatives. The representatives of the Maraji' are stationed in the cities of Medina and Mecca in the form of the caravan of the Maraji's offices (Buyūt-i Marājiʿ), to answer the religious and jurisprudential questions of the pilgrims. They also respond to the clergy present in Hajj regarding Newly Occurring Issues and exchange views on jurisprudential dilemmas related to Hajj.

Hajj Mission of the Leader of Iran

Main article: Amir al-Hajj

The Hajj Mission of the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran is an office under the supervision of the Leader of Iran, responsible for handling the religious affairs of pilgrims during Hajj. The person in charge of supervising the affairs of the pilgrims is called Amir al-Hajj. The Leader's Bi'tha was formed after the victory of the Islamic Revolution by the decree of Imam Khomeini in Shahrivar 1358 Sh (September 1979).

The building of the Hajj Mission of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran in Medina.

According to the report of the Research Center of the Parliament, this mission is a non-governmental, non-profit institution with an independent legal personality, which is administered under the supervision of the Leader of the Islamic Republic based on the regulations of the statute and internal bylaws. The head of the Bi'tha is appointed as the representative of the Wali-yi Faqih in Hajj and Pilgrimage affairs by a decree from the Leader of the Islamic Republic. According to Fars News Agency, since the beginning of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Muhammad Rida Tawassuli Mahallati, Sayyid Muhammad Musavi Khu'iniha, Mahdi Karrubi, Muhammad Muhammadi Rayshahri, Sayyid Ali Qazi Askar, and Sayyid Abd al-Fattah Navvab have been introduced as representatives of the Wali-yi Faqih and supervisors of the pilgrims.

Executive agents of Hajj, who are responsible for organizing the dispatch of pilgrims, accommodation, food, transportation, and setting up pilgrim tents in Arafat and Mina, operate within the framework of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization. This organization is one of the deputies of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, and its head is appointed by the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

Imam Khomeini, when appointing the supervisor of Iranian pilgrims, mentioned holding the great obligation of Hajj as best as possible, handling all affairs related to this divine obligation, and making the caravans more Islamic as the goals of the Bi'tha.

Explaining Teachings and Religious Issues

According to numerous sources, the duty of the Bi'tha is mentioned as explaining the religious duties of pilgrims and stating the rulings and Rites of Hajj. Also, resolving emerging jurisprudential issues and answering religious doubts for Iranian pilgrims and Shi'as of other countries have been considered among the duties of this institution. Holding educational sessions to familiarize pilgrims with religious issues and other human duties is defined as one of the macro policies of the Bi'tha. According to some officials of the Hajj Mission, explaining the foundations of the Islamic Revolution and promoting the religious and jurisprudential culture of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) school for other Islamic sects and denominations have been considered as goals of this institution.

Providing Cultural Services and International Relations

According to Sayyid Abd al-Fattah Navvab, the representative of the Wali-yi Faqih in Hajj affairs, holding worship programs such as Dua Kumayl, Dua Nudba, and other special occasions, as well as providing cultural and educational needs such as libraries and guide brochures, are considered among the cultural services of the Bi'tha. According to the report of the Research Center of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, holding meetings, congresses, and scientific and cultural conferences is the responsibility of the Representation of the Wali-yi Faqih in Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs.

It is said that the representatives of the Bi'tha offices, by establishing extensive communications with representatives of other countries and Shi'as from other parts of the world, and also by holding short-term meetings, gather representatives of Maraji' from all countries to get to know each other and examine problems. Imam Khomeini, when appointing the supervisor of Iranian pilgrims, considered holding Hajj magnificently and countering the false propaganda of foreign media as cultural services of the Bi'tha. According to the statute of the Representation of the Wali-yi Faqih in Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs, using Hajj diplomacy to strengthen and consolidate the united Islamic Ummah within the framework of the general policies of the system is considered a cultural duty of the Bi'tha office.

Supervision and Evaluation

As stated on the Hajj information website, the Bi'tha office supervises the performance of cultural liaisons, caravan clergy, and cultural service forces, as well as transportation, accommodation, catering, and other pilgrim services. Supervising the behavior of pilgrims to prevent division and disrespectful acts is listed as another duty of the Bi'tha.