In response to a question raised in
Cindy's Blog comments:
The following is taken from
Islam Online Fatwa: Woman Traveling to Hajj Without a Mahram by Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi:
QUESTION: A woman who is obligated to perform hajj is in good health and has enough money, but she does not have a husband or a mahram that can go with her. Is it permissible for her to perform hajj along with groups of Muslim males or females, keeping in mind that today the streets are safe and that traveling isn't such a risk as it were before? Or is it obligatory upon her to delay hajj until she gets a mahram?
ANSWER by Sheikh Qaradawi: The principle in Sharia 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 (may Allah be pleased with him) that Allah's Messenger (pbuh) 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 it is narrated by way of Abu Hurairah that: 'It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to travel a distance for one day and one night without a mahram with her.' Abu Saeed narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said: 'A woman is not to travel a distance for 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 petitioners and questions in which answers were given to them. Abu Hanifah preferred the last Hadeeth 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). These hadith include all types of travel, whether or not it is necessary, like visiting, trading, seeking knowledge, or anything else.
The basis for this ruling is not an evil assumption about the woman and her manners, as some people unreasonably think, but it is to take care of her reputation and dignity. It is to protect her from the desires of those who have diseased hearts, from the assault of a rapist or a thief. And this is even more so in places that the traveler must pass through, like deadly deserts, in a time when there is no sense of security, and where the places are unpopulated.
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 woman, and the streets are safe? The jurists have researched this topic whenever they discussed the obligation of hajj upon women, and they kept in mind the Messenger's (pbuh) prohibition of a woman traveling without a mahram. Their thoughtful opinions include the following:
1. Among them are those who hold on to what is apparent from the mentioned hadith, 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 woman with no desire, as has been transmitted from AI-Qaady Bin AI-Waleed Al-Yaajee, from the Maliki madhab. It is especially for women in general if we look at the meaning as was said by Ibn Daqeeq AI-Eid.
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. This is the opinion that was chosen by Sheikh ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah. He mentioned that Ibn Muflih in Al-Faroo' said: 'Every woman can perform hajj without a mahram as long as she will be safe.' And he said: 'This is directed towards every travel in obedience... Al-Karabeesee transmitted this from Ash-Shafi'i pertaining to the supererogatory hajj. And some of his companions also said this about supererogatory hajj and about every travel that is not obligatory, like visiting and trading.'
Al-Artham transmitted from Imam Ahmad: '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 Sireen even said: 'With a Muslim it is okay.' Al-Awzaee said: 'With a just people.' Malik said: 'With a group of women.' Ash-Shafi'i said: 'With a trustworthy faithful Muslim woman.' And his companions said: 'By herself if there is safety.'
AI-Haafidh Ibn Hajar said: 'What is well-known with the Shafi'is is that it is conditional that there be a husband, mahram, or trustworthy faithful women.' And in another saying: 'It is enough for just one trustworthy faithful woman.' In a saying transmitted by Al-Karabeesee, authenticated in Al-Muhadhab, is that she can travel by herself if the streets are safe. If this is what was said about traveling for hajj and umrah, then this ruling should be uniform concerning all types of travel, as some scholars have agreed.
The purpose here is to safeguard the woman and protect her, which is fulfilled by knowing that the roadway is safe and that trustworthy faithful men and women are present.
The proof of the permissibility of a woman traveling without a mahram is incumbent upon there being security and the presence of trustworthy faithful people. What was reported by Al-Bukhari is that during the final hajj of Umar Bin Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), he gave permission to the wives of the Prophet (pbuh) to perform hajj. So he sent with them Uthman Bin Affan and Abdul Rahman. Umar, Uthman, Abdul-Rahman Bin Awf and the wives of the Prophet (pbuh) all agreed to this. None of the other companions rejected what they did and therefore this is considered to be consensus.
Second is what was reported by AI-Bukhari and Muslim from the Hadeeth of Ada Bin Haatim is that the Prophet (pbuh) told him about the future of Islam, it's spreading, and its light going throughout the earth. Among what he mentioned is: 'The day is near when a young woman will travel from AI-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 it, but proves its permissibility, because it was mentioned in a phrase praising the spread of Islam along with its sense of security.
Here I will state two additionally important precepts. The first is that the basis of rulings on acts of dealings is to focus on their meanings and purposes. This is the opposite of rulings on acts of worship. This is because the basis of acts of worship is just to worship and obey, before focusing in on their meanings and purposes, as was firmly established by Imam Ash-Shatiby, who clarified this and verified it with proofs.
The second is that prohibited things are not permitted except if there is a dire need. And things that are prohibited so that they can be an obstruction to evil are permitted during times of need. And there is no doubt that the prohibition of a woman traveling without a mahram is prohibited so that it can be an obstruction to evil.
It is incumbent upon us to look at traveling in our time. It is not like how traveling was in the past. It is not filled with the dangers of the waterless deserts, encounters with thieves, highway robbers, etc. Now traveling is by various modes of transportation that usually gather large amounts of people at a time, like ships, airplanes, buses or cars that travel in caravans. Thus, this provides plenty of confidence and reliability, removing feelings of fear for the woman, because she will not be by herself in any place.
This is why there is no objection for the woman to perform hajj within this safe environment, which will provide all the necessary security and contentment. And with Allah is the success.
COMMENT: This is an especially important question for revert sisters, who do not have mahram relatives who are Muslims, but their relatives are non-Muslims.
veiled4allah: hajj without a mahram?