Our world is experiencing exceptional circumstances this year resulting from the spread of the coronavirus [Covid-19] and the dangers associated with it. Consequently, the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, may Allaah grant him continued protection - made the decision to let a limited number of worshippers perform Hajj this year. The decision was made to ensure the safety of those performing Hajj, and safeguarding people's lives is one of Islaam's major objectives. Allaah, the Most Exalted, said, ((And do not kill yourselves. Indeed, Allaah continually bestows His mercy upon you)) [4:29]. The basic principles of Islaam direct us to avert harms before they occur, and to also strive to remove them if they have set in. This can be understood from the hadeeth that states, "Harm is neither to be extended nor reciprocated." This was collected by ibn Maajah. Among the beautiful elements of this religion is that when a Muslim intends to perform a righteous deed, but is then unable to follow through for a legitimate reason, the reward for what he intended is still recorded for him. When a person's intentions are sincere, they can enable him to reach what his deeds alone do not reach. The eminent Companion Jaabir ibn 'Abdillaah (may Allaah be pleased with both of them) had narrated that some of the Companions were with Allaah's Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) during the expedition to Tabook and he told them, "There are indeed in al-Madeenah groups of individuals who remained with you throughout every path you tread and every valley you traversed." This was said in reference to them being granted the same reward as those present, as understood from another narration of the hadeeth which contains the wording, "They shared with you in reward." That was the case because those who stayed back only did so due to having a legitimate excuse. A wording of the hadeeth collected by Muslim says, "They were detained by illness." --More 10:53 LOCAL TIME 07:53 GMT 0003 www.spa.gov.sa/w1382133