Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. It has been made obligatory upon those among Allah’s servants who are capable of reaching the Holy Kaaba. Allah, the Almighty, has emphasized this in the Holy Quran in the following way:
وَاللَّهُ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلاً وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ
“Allah has made it obligatory for those who can make their way to the House to perform the Hajj. And whoever denies, then indeed, Allah is free of need of the worlds.”
In the above verse, Hajj is described as a right of Allah.
In Surah Al-Hajj, Allah, the Almighty, clearly explains the essence of Hajj and when it starts:
وَأَذْنُ فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالاً وَعَلَى كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ مِنْ كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ * لِيَشْهَدُوا مَنَافِعَ هُمْ وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللهُ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَعْلُومَاتٍ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَهُمْ مِنْ بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ
“And proclaim to the people the Hajj; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every distant pass. That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals.”
The Importance of Hajj for Women
The importance of Hajj for women is distinct from that of men. This is because for them, it is equivalent to Jihad. It is narrated in a hadith that Aisha (RA) asked the Messenger of Allah (SAW), “O Messenger of Allah, we see that Jihad is the greatest act of worship. Why do we (women) not participate in Jihad?” The Messenger of Allah (SAW) replied, “For you, a blessed Hajj is the best form of Jihad.”
From this Hadith, we understand the distinct significance of Hajj for women.
In addition to being the fifth pillar of Islam, for women, it is also akin to Jihad. Therefore, any woman who embarks on the pilgrimage for Hajj, we should sincerely thank her from the bottom of our hearts. Many women are unaware that Hajj is obligatory for them, and there are also women who, after Hajj becomes obligatory on them, delay it until they are unable to perform it. These women will certainly be sinful. You have been chosen by Allah for His obedience, so express gratitude to Allah and say, “Alhamdulillah.”
Conditions for Women’s Hajj
Like other acts of worship, Hajj also has certain conditions, some of which must be met for it to be valid. These include:
- Being a Muslim.
- Being of sound mind.
There are additional conditions required for Hajj to become obligatory, not necessarily for it to be valid. These are:
- Reaching the age of maturity. If a child performs Hajj, it will not count as their personal obligatory Hajj.
- Being free (not a slave). Hajj is not mandatory for slaves. However, if a slave performs Hajj, it will be valid. These conditions apply equally to both men and women.
- Having the ability to reach Makkah.
In this regard, there are differences between men and women. For men, the ability to perform Hajj is determined by two factors:
- Financial ability.
- Physical ability.
If a person has both financial and physical ability, they must perform Hajj themselves. If they have financial ability but lack physical ability, they must send someone else to perform Hajj on their behalf. If they have physical ability but no financial ability, Hajj is not obligatory on them. However, if they still perform it, it will be accepted.
For women, there are three factors to consider:
- Financial ability.
- Physical ability.
- Having a Mahram to accompany them.
Therefore, if a woman has both financial and physical ability and a Mahram is available, then Hajj will be obligatory on her.
If only financial ability is present, then Hajj is obligatory for the woman, and if she is unable to go, she must send someone else to perform it on her behalf.
If only physical ability is present, Hajj is not obligatory for her. However, if she somehow manages to go, her Hajj will be valid, though she will be sinful for not having a Mahram.
Can Women Perform Hajj Without a Mahram?
According to Islam, a woman cannot perform Hajj without a Mahram. Similarly, any long-distance travel is not permissible without a Mahram.
However, the Saudi government has recently modified this rule. Yes, a woman can now perform Hajj without a Mahram, provided she is above the age of 45.
Who are Mahram?
A Mahram is someone whom a woman cannot marry permanently due to blood relations, breastfeeding, or marriage. They are divided into three categories:
- Blood relatives, Mahram:
Seven categories of blood relatives, Mahram:
- Father, grandfather, or great-grandfather (on either paternal or maternal side).
- Son, grandson, great-grandson (on either paternal or maternal side).
- Brother (whether full brother, half-brother, or paternal/maternal).
- Paternal uncle (whether full, half, or maternal uncle).
- Maternal uncle (whether full, half, or paternal uncle).
- Nephew (whether from a brother or sister).
- Niece’s son, or nephew’s son.
- Mahram through breastfeeding:
Mahram through breastfeeding follows the same categories as blood-related Mahram.
- Mahram through marriage:
Four categories of Mahram through marriage:
- Husband’s sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons.
- Husband’s father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
- Son-in-law, daughter’s husband.
- Any man who has had intimate relations with a woman’s mother or grandmother.
Conditions of Mahram
A Mahram must be Muslim, of sound mind, and an adult.
Etiquettes of Hajj:
- Seeking the pleasure of Allah alone and hoping for His reward.
- Making sincere repentance (Tawbah).
- Forgiving the debts of others.
- Ensuring that the wealth used for Hajj is pure.
- Asking for Allah’s help and placing trust in Him for every task.
- Being patient in facing the physical, mental, and financial hardships during this blessed journey.
- Bearing all difficulties during Hajj with patience.
- Traveling with companions who maintain good faith and deeds.
- Performing obligatory prayers regularly.
- Engaging in remembrance (Dhikr) of Allah frequently.
Conditions for the Acceptance of Deeds by Allah:
For any act to be accepted by Allah, two conditions are essential:
- Ikhlas (sincerity): The act must be done purely for the sake of Allah. Thus, before performing any act, one must maintain pure Tawhid and be free from shirk.
- Following the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW): If the act is not performed according to the Sunnah of the Prophet, it will turn into an innovation (Bid’ah).
Things to Do Before Starting Hajj
Before starting Hajj, you need to complete several tasks:
- Obtaining the husband’s permission.
- Having a Mahram to accompany.
- Making sincere repentance (Tawbah).
- Being sincere in intention (Ikhlas).
- Writing a will (Wasiyyah).
- Learning the relevant rulings (masail) of Hajj.
