The basic rites of Hajj for men and women are generally the same. But there are some rites that are different and there are some occasions when women find it difficult. Therefore, the following rites are discussed relating particularly to women.
Performing Hajj without Mahram forbidden
According to Nusrat Ibn Abbas the Holy Prophet (Pbuh) has said that no women should be with a man alone and no woman should make a journey without Mahram.
On hearing this one person said “O Prophet (Pbuh), my name has been included in Jihad and my wife has left for the Hajj pilgrimage.” The Prophet (Pbuh) replied: “Go and perform the Hajj with your wife”. (Mishkat)
By nature woman is weak and could become the cause of strife and sin. This is why the shariat has not given permission for woman to travel without Mahram, whether it be religious or worldly journey.
Mahram means a person with whom a marriage is not possible, example father, son, nephew, son-in-law, paternal uncle and maternal uncle. Paternal cousins and maternal cousins cannot be Mahram because marriage can be consummated with them. Brother -in- law can also not be considered as Mahram.
Mahram is such a person with whom one may not experience feelings which are natural only to a married state. Some women consider anyone as brother or son for the sake of making a journey. This is not allowed by Shariat. In the performance of the holy rites of Hajj to break Shariat law and perform the Hajj is clearly a sin and considered as haram. This is because from beginning to the end it is a violation of the Shariat. Without a Mahram a journey of 48 miles is forbidden whether the journey is by air or by any other means.
Some points to remember
(i) If a woman is eligible to perform Hajj with the necessary means to do so but cannot find a Mahram she is not allowed to perform it.
(ii) If a woman having the means to perform Hajj an also the facility of Mahram is in the state of Idat (Obligatory period observed after husband’s death) then the performance of Hajj for her is incorrect.
(iii) Performing Hajj for a woman in the period of Iddat (after separation in marriage) is considered a sin.
iv) If a wife wishes to perform a Hajj with a Mahram (such as son) then the husband cannot prevent her from performing Hajj.
Ihram for Women
(i) It is obligatory for women to cover the head.
(ii) Stitched cloth is allowed.
(iii) Any colour dress is allowed.
As for a woman pilgrim, she is forbidden to use perfumed clothes, a veil that covers the face, and gloves.
Ibn ‘Umar reported : “Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) forbade women pilgrims from wearing gloves, veils and clothes dyed with saffron or worse. Besides these, they may wear anything else, any colour, silk clothes, ornaments, trousers, or a shirt or shoes.”
Bukhari reported that ‘Aishah (RA) wore a dress that was dyed with ‘usfur’ while she was in a state of Ihram, and she said: “A woman must neither wear a veil to cover her face, nor wear clothes that are dyed with saffron or other fragrant dyeing material.” Jabir said: “I do not consider ‘usfur a scent.”
‘Aishah held that there is no harm in women pilgrims wearing ornaments, black or rose-coloured clothes and shoes.
Bukhari and Ahmad have reported that the Prophet (Pbuh) said: “A pilgrim woman must neither cover her face nor wear gloves.” This proves that a woman in the state of Ihram should not cover her face and hands. The scholars, however, say that there is no harm if she covered her face with something other than a veil. She may also use an umbrella or similar item as a screen between men and herself. But if she is afraid of tempting others she must cover her face.
‘Aishah said: “Men on camels used to pass by us while we were with the Prophet (Pbuh) and in the state of Ihram. We would cover our face with our gowns when they passed by us, and then uncover them again.” This is reported by Abu Daw’ud and Ibn Majah. ‘Ata, Malik, Ath-Thawri, Ash-Shafie, Ahmad, and Ishaq hold that it is permissible for women to cover their faces in the state of Ihram.
Menstrual days What to do?
It is reported by Hazrath e Aishah (RA) that once on a Hajj Pilgrimage when she experience the inconvenience of monthly period, the Holy Prophet (Pbuh) noticing her inconvenience said: “There is no need to cry. This is something that Allah has made as a natural occurrence for daughters of Adam (Pbuh), meaning all women.”
Most scholars are of the opinion that purification is not necessary for performing Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, in the light of what the Prophet (Pbuh) said to ‘Aishah once when she menstruated. He told her. “You may perform all rites (of Hajj) as other pilgrims do, except performing tawaf around the Ka’bah which you may do after you are clean and no longer menstruating.” ‘Aishah and Ummi Salamah said: “A woman who performs the tawaf, offers two rak’ah prayer (by the Station of Ibrahim), and then finds that her period has started, may perform Sa’i between Safa and Marwah.” It is preferable, however, to be in a state of complete purity while performing various rites of Hajj or ‘Umrah, because cleanliness is commendable in Islam.
Points to Remember
(i) It is permissible for woman to enter the state of Ihram in case she has experienced menstrual period or child birth by performing the ghusl (obligatory bath) and making the niyat (intention) of Hajj or Umrah. She will have to recite “Labaik, Allahumma Lubaik, La Shareeka Lak, Innal Hamda, Wannaymata Lak, Walmulk, La Shareeka Lak. This is enough for her to enter the state of Ihram.
(ii) She may not offer the two rak’ats nafil salat of Ihram until she is fully clean and performed the obligatory ghusl. (bath).
(iii) After Ihram she may perform the duties of Arafat, Muzdalifa and Mina.
(iv) She may not perform tawaf in this state after reaching Makkah.
(v) She may pray and recite Istaghfar and all other duas.
(vi) If a woman fears that she may begin to menstruate she may perform the Tawaf Al-Ifadah early on the day of Nahr - 10th of Dhul-Hajjah as a precaution against the menses.
(vii) If a woman (Pilgrim) is afraid of her monthly period, she may perform the Tawaf of Ka’bah before throwing the pebbles at Jamarah Al Aqabah and even before her sacrificial animal is slaughtered.
(viii) A woman may either delay or advance the time of her periods in order to perform the Tawaf at the right time.
(ix) If a woman pilgrim finds herself in the menstrual state at the time of the tawaf As-Sadr (farewell Tawaf) it is no harm if she misses it and she will not be required to offer the animal to atone for it. She is permitted to depart without performing the Farewell Tawaf.
(x) Women are not obligated to jog or uncover their right shoulder, because they must properly cover themselves. Ibn ‘Umar said: “Women are not obligated to jog around the Ka’bah nor while making Sa’i between Safa and Marwah.”
(xi) Women may touch and kiss the Black Stone when there is an opportunity and no men are around. It is reported that ‘Aishah said to a woman, “Do not crowd with others at the Black Stone, but if you find a chance, touch and kiss it, otherwise if there is crowding, then say a takbir (Allah is the Greatest) when you are opposite to it, and make your tawaf and do not cause any harm to anyone.”
(xii) Staying at Arafah means physical and mental presence in any part of Arafah, whether one is awake, asleep, riding, sitting, lying down, walking, and regardless of whether one is in a state of purity or not, e.g., a menstruating woman, or one giving birth, or a person having a wet dream. The scholars differ, however, about the position of one who faints and remains in a coma until he leaves Arafah.
(xiii) There is consensus on throwing pebbles before midnight on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah (the Night of Sacrifice). It is permissible, however, for women, children, the weak, those who have a valid excuse, and the shepherds to throw pebbles at Jamarah Al-Aqabah in the night.
(xiv) Persons who for valid reasons, illness, etc., cannot themselves throw the pebbles may ask someone else to throw pebbles on their behalf. Jabir said, “We performed Hajj with the Prophet (Pbuh) and we had some women and children with us. We (adults) uttered talbiyah and threw pebbles on behalf of the children.” This was reported by Ibn Majah.
(xv) Abu Daw’ud and others reported from Ibn’ Abbas that the Prophet (Pbuh) said, “Women (Pilgrims) do not have to shave (their heads); they may only shorten their hair.” Al-Hafiz considers this a sound hadith.
Ibn Al-Mundhir said, “There is agreement among the scholars on this, because shaving a woman’s head is in fact a sort of punishment for her.”
Ibn ‘Umar said, “when a woman (Pilgrim) wants to cut off her hair, she may hold her hair at the front and cut it off about the length of the tip of a finger.” In ‘Ata’s opinion, while cutting her hair, a woman should cut it off at her sides, of the long hair as well as the short ones. This is reported by Sa’id bin Mansur. Others hold that there is no limit as to how much a woman may cut of her hair. The Shafie school holds that cutting as much as three hairs is enough for a female pilgrim.
Top
Editorial