At present, Saudi Arabia permits Muslim ladies to do an Islamic pilgrimage (Hajj / Umrah) and not using a chaperone (Mahram). Nonetheless, for hundreds of years, it was not doable. A male family member needed to accompany her.
I reside in Saudi Arabia, and I’d not dare go to Mecca alone for a pilgrimage with out my husband beside me.
It will be too tough. The streets are overcrowded, shifting across the metropolis is gradual, and being alone, even in a big pilgrimage (Umrah) group, may be very irritating. Nonetheless, some ladies don’t have any different alternative.
I spoke with my household and different Muslim ladies to get their opinions.
They’re completely satisfied to go alone or in a gaggle, however all agree ladies ought to carry out the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages with a chaperone (Mahram).
The next are 5 fundamental the reason why.
By Authors Mariam Hussain
and Mohammed Francis
So, What Are The 5 Causes Girls Ought to Take A Guardian (Mahram) To The Pilgrimages Hajj or Umrah?
Desk of Contents
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Some folks consider that due to the brand new guidelines (March 2022), Saudi Arabia has lastly permitted Muslim ladies to go on pilgrimage alone.
Nonetheless, this isn’t the case.
Solely ladies ages 45 and above can get hold of a Hajj / Umrah visa on their very own, and within the absence of a guardian (Mahram), they need to come to Saudi Arabia with different trusted ladies or in a big group.
A male family member or guardian (Mahram) should all the time accompany ladies beneath 45.
Within the following article, I’ll define 5 sensible and religious the reason why, for my part, ladies ought to have a male guardian (Mahram) after they carry out Islamic pilgrimages.
1. A Guardian Makes Touring Secure And Handy
Virtually, a male guardian (Mahram) accompanies a feminine pilgrim from house, on the airplane, and within the bus or taxi to the lodge in Mecca.
He ensures she arrives safely along with her baggage and protects her from potential losses or hurt on the lengthy journey.
As soon as in Mecca, a guardian (Mahram) will cope with the stresses of the lodge check-in, handle heavy baggage, and make sure the lodge reception supplies appropriate and cozy lodging.
At meal occasions, a guardian can deliver her meals to the restaurant desk or the lodge room, eat along with her, and benefit from the meals collectively.
Outdoors, he’ll negotiate with taxi drivers, purchase snacks, medicines, and requirements, and help a feminine pilgrim on the crowded streets resulting in the Haram mosque.
Within the mosque, a guardian (Mahram) can ship and acquire a lady from the feminine prayer areas which might be usually tough to succeed in due to the heavy crowds.
Safiya’s Story – An Improper Encounter in A Resort Room In Makkah
Safiya felt ecstatic. The Quran Academy within the USA had chosen her to hitch an all-female group to journey to Saudi Arabia and carry out the lesser pilgrimage (Umrah).
In Mecca, her pilgrimage went properly. The group was supportive, and everybody felt completely satisfied.
Nonetheless, one morning, Safiya fell sick. She was too in poor health to hitch the group on the Haram mosque. She stayed alone in her room on the lodge.
Hungry, she ordered room service. Quickly, a male attendant introduced her breakfast on a tray to her room. It was heavy. So he entered and positioned it on her bedside desk.
Then, Safiya seen that the waiter had introduced her the mistaken order. She requested him to go away and to inform room service of the error.
Nonetheless, the male attendant didn’t go away however sat as a substitute on her mattress. Seeing this, Safiya known as room service.
Safiya felt shocked. When she commented, the waiter advised that he solely wished to assist her and to attend as she made her cellphone name.
Then, he stood up and commenced to strategy her. Instantly, Safiya instructed him to go away and if he didn’t she would name the entrance desk.
The person obtained scared, and immediately left the room
The shut encounter made Safiya perceive the significance of getting a male guardian (Mahram) along with her. The waiter wouldn’t have entered her room had he seen a male family member along with her within the room.
In future, Saifiya vowed to have a chaperone when she travels or goes once more for pilgrimage to Mecca.
By Maryam Hussain
2. Guardians (Mahram) Help And Supply Girls Safety
A guardian (Mahram) supplies ladies with bodily and emotional assist. He guides her to locations in and across the Mecca Haram boundary.
Public areas across the Haram mosque are sometimes very crowded with pilgrims from all around the world. A guardian can guarantee she doesn’t get crushed or suffocated as they make their manner via the crowded locations.
For instance, my mom is bodily small and can’t transfer in big crowds. She wants my father to assist her as she goes from place to position within the Haram mosque space. If not, she will get squashed, panics, and has horrible issues respiratory.
As well as, a guardian can carry baggage and kids, help aged pilgrims in wheelchairs, deliver ZamZam water, and bodily assist a feminine pilgrim throughout the strolling of the lengthy distances between the Safa and Marwa mountains (Sai’ee).
He also can lower her hair when the pilgrimage ends.
A male family member who’s a guardian (Mahram) is of nice assist and invaluable assist to ladies in and across the Haram mosque.
Hajar’s Story – A Girl Struggles To Do Pilgrimage
On the Hajj pilgrimage, I obtained to know Hajar, a middle-aged lady. She got here alone with our journey group and not using a male guardian (Mahram).
Hajar suffered from diabetes. In her situation, doing Hajj proved very tough for her, and he or she fell in poor health.
The feminine members of our Hajj group cared for her the perfect they might. Nonetheless, Hajar struggled to carry out the Hajj rites.
Hajar wanted a wheelchair and others to push her. She was unable to do something for herself.
Earlier than coming to Saudi Arabia, Hajar believed she could be robust and wholesome however started to really feel sad that she wanted a lot assist throughout the pilgrimage.
She regretted being in Mecca alone and wished her husband or son had come along with her.
Her household couldn’t afford to ship multiple particular person to Hajj. Hajar was the fortunate one, however being alone was very tough certainly.
By Maryam Hussain
3. Having A Guardian Pleases Allah (SWT) & Is Extra Rewarding
Taking a guardian (Mahram) for Hajj or Umrah reveals obedience to Allah (SWT) and is an indication a Muslim lady needs to please her creator.
Islam requires ladies to have a male guardian (Mahram) on lengthy journeys. All students agree on that ruling.
Proof for it’s within the following Hadith:
Prophet Mohammed (SAW) stated,
‘No lady ought to journey besides with a Mahram, and no man ought to enter upon her until she has a mahram accompanying her.’
Bukhari 1862
Additionally, Abu Hurairah quotes the blessed Prophet Mohammed (SAW) as saying,
‘It isn’t permissible for a lady who believes in Allah and the Final Day to journey the space of sooner or later, besides with a guardian (Mahram).‘
Muslim 1339
Many different Hadith exist that point out ladies ought to all the time journey lengthy distances with a male family member or guardian (Mahram), particularly for Hajj and Umrah, besides in uncommon circumstances.
They’re:
- Revert Muslim ladies residing in non-Muslim nations (Dar Al Harb)
- Escaped or launched feminine prisoners
- Misplaced ladies
- Girls delivered to and met at airport terminals
Allah (SWT) instructions ladies to journey with a guardian (Mahram) over lengthy distances for greater than a day to finish.
For Hajj and Umrah Muslim ladies has to journey lots of, even 1000’s of kilometers, and take days to finish.
Having a guardian along with her reveals dedication, obedience, and love and is pleasant to Allah (SWT) and extremely rewarding.
4. Touring With A Guardian (Mahram) Will increase Non secular Bonds
Being with a guardian (Mahram) on the Hajj / Umrah pilgrimage strengthens the connection between a husband and spouse, a father and daughter, brother and sister, and so on.
They spend treasured time collectively for the sake of Allah (SWT), praying, praising, and visiting God’s home, the Haram mosque.
A guardian helps a lady to deal with religious issues and keep away from risks, distractions, and worldly temptations.
As well as, he can present her the way to carry out the pilgrimage rituals appropriately and be accountable for her well-being and security.
On this manner, a lady can focus completely on worship (Ibadah) and acquire extra religious rewards.
Beneath his safety, a feminine pilgrim feels very secure and might develop nearer to Allah (SWT), permitting her to ponder and replicate deeply on her relationship with Him.
Doing the pilgrimage brings the couple nearer, strengthens household ties, and creates pleasant, lasting reminiscences each will NEVER neglect.
5. Performing Hajj/Umrah With A Guardian Is An Islamic Custom
Doing Hajj or Umrah with a guardian (Mahram) is one of the simplest ways to observe the instance of our beloved Prophet Mohammed (SAW).
Our prophet as soon as carried out the Hajj with Khadiyah (RA), and, by instance, inspired Muslims over the centuries to do the identical.
Since Prophet Mohammed’s (SAW) time, male kin have all the time accompanied females for the Hajj and Umrah.
They cared for, protected, and supported ladies as they carried out essential Islamic rites, serving to create an environment of security, religious devotion, and bonding.
This custom has remained unchanged till at this time.
Conclusion
Hajj is among the 5 pillars of Islam. Making a pilgrimage (Hajj / Umrah) to the home of Allah is among the most essential non secular occasions any Muslim can carry out.
Being with a guardian (Mahram) enormously ensures a lady’s security when touring to Mecca, defending her from potential hurt and distractions.
Pilgrimage in Mecca and visiting the Haram mosque is a interval of intense religious focus and devotion.
A guardian helps strengthen household bonds, reveals a lady’s obedience to Allah (SWT), supplies alternatives for ladies to ask questions and study Islamic rites, and is the means for higher rewards on this world and the hereafter.
Does Islam Allow Girls To Fly Lengthy Distances With out A Guardian (Mahram)? No! A lady should journey with a guardian (Mahram). Nonetheless, before passing away in 2014, Saudi Sheikh Abdullah Al Jibreen conceded {that a} lady might take lengthy flights offered a authorized guardian (Mahram) first delivers her to the airport for departure and one other collects her on the vacation spot airport on arrival.
Can A Girl Or Anybody Else Different Than A Shut Male Relative Be A Guardian (Mahram)? No, ladies can’t be guardians of different ladies! A journey guardian (Mahram) MUST BE a blood male family member or husband, grownup, sane, and have widespread sense.
What Is The Minimal Age For A Guardian (Mahram) To Accompany A Girl On A Pilgrimage? It’s 15. Nonetheless, Saudi Airways doesn’t allow beneath 18-year- outdated vacationers to come back to Saudi Arabia and not using a guardian. Additionally, younger males beneath 18 are often not mature sufficient to be a guardian (Mahram) for Hajj or Umrah. A 20-year-old male family member or older could also be extra appropriate. Nonetheless, we can’t decide maturity when it comes to age.
