Question 26333:
Can I do Umrah without a mahram?
ANSWER:
Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and
Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto;
It is permissible for a woman to go for Hajj/Umrah if she can travel in a safe company where she can feel reasonably secure and protected. Islam is a religion that is wholly based on mercy and compassion; its teachings are aimed at protecting the weak and the vulnerable.
It is therefore with the specific intent of safeguarding a woman’s honor, dignity, and reputation that the Prophet (PBH) forbade women from undertaking long journeys without a mahram. Since the true intent of the prohibition is safety and protection, women are allowed to travel in a safe company accompanied by elders and reputable Muslim men and women. That is why we read in the sources that the Mothers of the Faithful such as `Aishah and Umm Salamah(r.a), themselves well known for their deep knowledge of Islam and
expertise in Islamic jurisprudence, traveled without mahrims in a safe company.
They traveled in a group under the protection of older men. Once `Aishah(r.a) was asked whether a woman can travel without a mahram. Her answer was, Can everyone find a Mahram? In other words, if she has a genuine need to travel, she may do so if she can be reasonably assured of her own safety. Based on the above considerations, a number of jurists and scholars belonging to the Maliki and Shafi`i schools, as well as others, have considered it permissible for women to travel in a safe company. As regards your question, the following is the fatwa issued by the prominent Muslim scholar, Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, in this regard: The principle in Shari`ah is that a woman is not to travel by herself;
rather, it is obligatory upon her to have as her companion her husband or a mahram.
This ruling is founded on what was reported by Al-Bukhari and others from Ibn `Abbas (ra) that Allahs Messenger (PBH) said:
A woman is not to travel except with a mahram, and a man is not to enter upon her
except if she has a mahram. And also on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (ra) the Prophet (PBH is quoted to have said: It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to travel a distance of one day and one night without a mahram with her. Abu Sa`id narrated that the Prophet(PBH)said: A woman is not to travel a distance of two days without her husband or mahram with her. And Ibn `Umar narrated that: She is not to travel for three nights, except if she has a mahram. Apparently the differences in narrations are because of the different questioners and the questions posed. Abu Hanifah preferred the last hadith of Ibn `Umar and was of the opinion that a mahram is not needed except in travels in which prayers are shortened (also reported by Ahmad).
But what is the ruling on a woman, who does not find a mahram to accompany her in a legitimate travel, whether obligatory, preferred or permitted? And there is within her reach a group of protective men, or trustworthy faithful women, and the roads are safe?
The jurists have researched this topic whenever they discussed the obligation of Hajj upon women, and they kept in mind the Prophets injunction prohibiting a woman from traveling without a mahram.
Their thoughtful opinions include the following:
1. They prohibit traveling without a mahram, even for the obligation of Hajj.
And there is no exception to this rule.
2. There are those who make an exception for older women who have passed the age of being subject to temptation.
3. Some of them make the exception that as long as the woman is with trustworthy and faithful women, then the travel is permissible. Furthermore, some conclude that it is enough for just one free trustworthy and faithful Muslim woman.
4. And some concluded that the roadway must be safe. Every woman can perform Hajj without a mahram as long as she will be safe.
A mahram is not a condition in the obligatory Hajj. His justification for this is his saying: Because she goes out with women, and with all those whom she is safe with. Ibn Siyrin even said: With a Muslim it is okay.
What is well-known with the Shafi`is is that it is conditional that there be a husband, mahram, or trustworthy faithful women. What was reported by Al-Bukhari is that during the final Hajj of `Umar ibn Al-Khattab (ra), he gave permission to the wives of the Prophet (PBH) to perform Hajj. So he sent with them `Uthman ibn `Affan and `Abdur-Rahman. This act is considered to be a consensus, for all of them, `Umar, `Uthman, `Abdur-Rahman Ibn `Awf and the wives of the Prophet (PBH)agreed to it, without any objection. Second is what was reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslims from the hadith of `Ada Ibn Hatim that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told him about the future of Islam and how its light will be spread throughout the earth. Among what he mentioned is:
The day is near when a young woman will travel from Al-Hira (a city in Iraq), going to the Sacred House with no husband accompanying her. She will fear none but Allah. This information does not only prove that this will happen but proves its permissibility because it was mentioned in a phrase praising the spread of Islam along with its sense of security. family in that country to avoid the likelihood of temptation or mischief the woman may face…(Edited version)
Wassalam and Allah know best.
Source: islamicity.org/qa/
Male guardians are no longer required to accompany female pilgrims during Hajj, Umrah
Saudi state provides all facilities for pilgrims to perform Hajj and Umrah based on Saudi Vision 2030: Writer Faten
Ibrahim Hussein
MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah announced that women coming to Saudi Arabia can now perform their pilgrimages without a mahram, or male guardian.
This announcement, including others, came during a press conference held at the Kingdom’s Embassy in Cairo, according to state agency SPA. The event was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Osama bin Ahmed Nugali and senior officials from the ministry and embassy. Hajj and Umrah Services Adviser Ahmed Saleh Halabi said that it is now permissible for a woman to perform Hajj or Umrah without a mahram, accompanied by “trustworthy women or secure company to perform Hajj or Umrah. This is the view of the Maliki and Shafi’i scholars.”
He continued: “The supervisor of fatwa at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in Egypt, Abbas Shoman, declared last March that a woman is allowed to perform Hajj and Umrah without an accompanying mahram,” Halabi continued. “Allowing women to perform Umrah without the condition of a mahram makes life easier for them because many have difficult social conditions and may not find a mahram, or it may cost them a lot, while they are eager to perform Umrah,” Hussein said.“Fortunately, the fight against all forms of social and economic corruption played a positive role in this,” she added.
When corruption is stopped, she explained, security is established.
“Security has extended throughout the Kingdom and in all means of transportation and at ports, giving women full protection. Moreover, strong infrastructure has been established in legislation, including the anti-harassment system,” she said.
“These are deterrent penalties for anyone who may contemplate breaking the law. In addition, surveillance cameras are obligatory in vital areas, including airports, border crossing ports, the Grand Mosque, the Prophet’s Mosque and others. Thus, a woman is safe, especially when she is in good company with other women.
“There are many women who come to the Kingdom to work without a mahram, and there are no significant incidents, thanks to the security we live in…There is no fear for women to come without a mahram because the reason for that no longer exists.”
Source: https://www.arabnews.com/
