Assalamu Aleikum This year me and my family decided to try and go for Haj, just one month before the rituals are to begin.The problem is our decision was a very late one and all the Haj Visas alloted to my country by the Saudi government are over and booked. Also, this year the Saudi govern. reduced the visa quota from approx.7500 to approx. 4500 so that they can cope with the crowd, after last years stampede at the Jamarat. So, we are finding it difficult to get visas since our decision was very late. Nevertheless, my father knows a few contacts and family friends who ,apparently, may be able to get us visas since they are government ministers and are close to the Saudi Ambassador etc. my father and family have a great zeal to go on Haj this year since we maybe migrating to another country far away next year and therefore may not be able to go next year. My question is, is it OK for us to get preferential visas for Haj when the alloted visas are fully booked?Will our Haj be acceptable? Is this ok, since the reason that the visas are over is because the Saudi government want to reduce the number of pilgrims etc but we are getting preferential visas? My father says that the Saudi government always gifts some extra visas to our country for ministers and VIPs etc and that maybe we will be able to get some visas from that lot. What do you think? I reallyyyy...... want to go because I Alhamdulillah went last year and i am really missing being there. But my mum and sister haven't been so it is important for them. Please Give me your advice on this matter. Awaiting your kind response. Thank you. Assalamu Alaikum.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

It is permissible to obtain those visas which you mentioned in the question as long as this does not lead to transgressing other people's rights in getting visas. The fact that some people intercede for you in order to obtain those visas is Islamicly permitted.

Allaah Knows best.