According to historians at the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, Hajj has been suspended for about 40 times in Islamic History.
Here’s a list of the most known incidents when Hajj was disrupted:
Pilgrims Murdered
“No one performed Hajj that year for fear of the Carmatians,” The Carmatians believed that the rituals of Hajj were from the pre-Islamic times and idolatry. They killed more than 30000 pilgrims.
Viral Epidemic
Al-Mashri’s disease spread in Makkah, so many creatures died, camels of pilgrims died on the way from thirst, and only a few of them arrived in Mecca, but they arrived after the Hajj.
Weakened Economy
The Egyptian pilgrimage was interrupted during the reign of Al-Aziz Bellah the Fatimid, due to the high cost of Hajj.
Political Boycott
No pilgrims from the people of the East or from Egypt performed Hajj due to political issues.
30k Pilgrims Killed
In 930, Mecca came under attack by Abu Taher al-janabi, the Chief of the Qarmatian heterodox sect, who set about killing the pilgrims.
Extensive Boycotts
No pilgrims came from Iraq and Khorasan, nor from the people of Syria or Egypt.
Political Disputes
Muslims suffered confusion and loss of security throughout their large state due to the rampant conflict among their kings. This was five years before the fall of Jerusalem in the hands of the Crusaders. Hajj was halted due to political disputes.
War Leaves Many Out
The Egyptians did not perform Hajj, because of their king’s preoccupation with the war of Asad Al-Din.
Very Few Attend
No one from other countries except the Hejaz performed Hajj.
Warfare in Modernity
Hajj trips were halted during the French campaign due to the insecurity of the road.
Covid-19 Pandemic : Hajj 2020
Due to Covid-19 pandemic, Saudi officials announced that there won’t be any overseas pilgrims this year. Only 1,000 pilgrims that currently reside in the Kingdom will be allowed to perform Hajj. Hajj has been cancelled for millions.
Read More: Do You Know How Many Times in History Hajj Was Cancelled?