Women Should Not Perform Hajj Without a Mahram

Written by: Shaykh Hafiz Abdul Sattar Al-Hammad (حفظ اللہ)

Arabic Text:

وَلَا تُسَافِرَنَّ امْرَأَةٌ إِلَّا وَمَعَهَا مَحْرَمٌ

“A woman should not travel without a Mahram (male guardian).”
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Jihad wa’l-Siyar: 3006]

Key Points:

  1. Background of the Hadith:
    • During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), a man informed him that he had enrolled in a specific battle while his wife intended to perform Hajj. The Prophet (ﷺ) instructed him:
      “Leave the battle and accompany your wife for Hajj.”
  2. Importance of a Mahram During Travel:
    • Islam mandates the presence of a Mahram for a woman during travel to ensure her safety, dignity, and protection from harm.
    • The Mahram is also there to assist her in case of any difficulties or emergencies during the journey.
  3. Prohibition of Traveling Without a Mahram:
    • It is not permissible for a woman to travel without a Mahram, even for Hajj.
    • This ruling applies to women of all ages and in all circumstances.
  4. Conditions for a Mahram:
    • Scholars have outlined the following conditions for a man to qualify as a Mahram:➊ He must be a male.
      ➋ He must be a Muslim.
      ➌ He must be mature (baligh).
      ➍ He must be sane (aql).
      ➎ He must be permanently forbidden for the woman to marry. Examples include:
      • Father, brother, son, uncle (paternal or maternal), or father-in-law.
    • Relatives Who Cannot Be a Mahram:
      • Relatives with whom marriage is temporarily forbidden, such as a sister’s husband (brother-in-law), cannot serve as a Mahram.
      • Likewise, cousins, nephews, or brothers-in-law are not considered Mahrams.
  5. Additional Condition for Women Performing Hajj:
    • In addition to the general conditions for the obligation of Hajj, it is a specific requirement for women to have a Mahram accompany them for this sacred journey, irrespective of their age or circumstances.

Conclusion:

The presence of a Mahram is an essential requirement for a woman’s travel, including the journey of Hajj. This provision is in place to safeguard her dignity, safety, and religious obligations. Women and their families should ensure adherence to this important Islamic guideline to maintain the sanctity of this blessed journey.
 
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