Question (Q-40)
Is it permissible for a woman to perform Hajj or ‘Umrah with a marriageable male (non-mahram)?
Answer:
It is narrated in a Hadīth of Sahīh Al Bukhārī and Muslim which is narrated by Sayyidunā Abū Hurairah (رضى الله عنه) who mentioned that the Noble Prophet (صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالىٰ عَلَيْهِ وَ اٰلِه وَ سَلَّمَ) said,
لا يحل لإمرأة تؤمن باللّٰه واليوم الاٰخر أن تسافر مسيرة يوم وليلة إلا مع ذي محرم عليها
“It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah (تعالى) and the last Day to travel the distance of one day and night without a non-marriageable-man (mahram).”
Therefore, it is Harām for a woman to perform Hajj or ‘Umrah without a Mahram. (Al Fatāwā Ar Ridhwiyyah)
This is why one of the conditions for Hajj to be necessary upon a woman is for her to be accompanied by a Mahram. Therefore, if a woman performs Hajj or ‘Umrah without a Mahram then she will commit a sin on every single step she takes. However, her Hajj or ‘Umrah will be fulfilled.
It is stated in Durr ul Mukhtār,
و لو حجت بلا محرم جاز مع الکراهة
“If she performs Hajj without a Mahram it will be valid but disliked.”
(Durr ul Mukhtār, Volume 2, Page 158)
It would be incorrect for someone to say that this is an old ruling for the days when people used to perform Hajj on foot but these days it is not prohibited for a woman to travel without a Mahram. This is because Scholars have clearly stated that the reason for a woman to travel with a Mahram is to avoid mischief (fitnah). It is no secret that mischief is continuously increasing during these times.
Allah (تعالى) is Most Knowing
Written by Muftī Shamsulhudā Khān Misbāhī (Allah preserve him)
