Reimagining Hajj Management: Innovative Thought, Policy Transformation, and Islamic Legal Perspectives

Abstract

The Hajj pilgrimage represents one of the most complex and large-scale religious gatherings in the world, involving millions of pilgrims annually from diverse geographical, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds. In recent decades, the increasing number of pilgrims, technological advancements, public health challenges, and global mobility have prompted the need for innovative approaches to Hajj management. This article examines contemporary ideas and innovations in Hajj administration from interdisciplinary perspectives, integrating Islamic legal thought (fiqh), public policy, digital governance, and maqāṣid al-sharīʿah. Using a qualitative conceptual analysis, this study explores how innovation in Hajj management can enhance efficiency, safety, inclusivity, and spiritual fulfillment while remaining compliant with Islamic legal principles. The article argues that innovation (tajdīd and iṣlāḥ) in Hajj governance is not only permissible but necessary to respond to modern challenges and to uphold the higher objectives of Islamic law. This study contributes to scholarly discourse by offering a framework for harmonizing technological and institutional innovation with normative Islamic values in the administration of Hajj.