Mahram Not Reachable’ Keeps Them Worried

Syed Faisal Ali, Arab News

MINA, 19 December 2007 — One of the preconditions for a woman, regardless of her age, to perform Haj is that she be accompanied by her mahram (a male relative such as a father, son, brother or husband).

There are many sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in this regard discouraging women from performing Haj without a mahram. However, every year, many women come from distant countries to perform Haj without mahram. They pay hefty sums to their travel agents to arrange a “mahram”. This practice is prevalent in many parts of the globe but is especially common in South Asian countries.

The “arranged mahram” then abandons the woman halfway through Haj and thus she finds herself in trouble and difficulties.

Arab News met one such woman on Souq Al-Arab Street in Mina when, despite several calls to her mahram, he did not answer his mobile phone.

“I came through a travel agent in Pune in India. I met him through one of my friends. The agent arranged for a mahram and assured me that the man would be with me during the pilgrimage and would ensure my safety and comfort here. But since Sunday I have not been able to reach him. I’m worried about him and about myself. If he stays in the Kingdom, then I will be in trouble,” said 40-year-old Ruqaiya Naaz.

Ruqaiya said two other women — Ameena Perween, 42, from Surat and Ghazala Begum, 28 from Baroda — also came under the same man.

“All of us are worried and not able to concentrate properly on our religious obligations. We don’t know what to do, where to go or who to contact regarding our safe return in case our mahram does not show up,” she said.

One Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia website says: “Women traveling without mahram and wishing to perform Haj with a group, must be over 45 years of age. The leader of the group must be recognized by an Islamic association and his wife must accompany the group on the same journey and the group must not have less than five women.”

It further says that women under the age of 45 must be accompanied by a mahram and provide a certificate from the authority concerned. The mahram should not be younger than 15. It is the responsibility of female Haj applicants to specify clearly the legitimate mahram accompanying them on the application form.

Islamic scholars generally try to persuade women not to come for Haj without a proper mahram.

When reminded that Haj without a mahram was not permissible, Ruqaiya, a widow, said, “It was the wish of my husband that I perform Haj. Since he is dead and I have nobody to accompany me, I chose this way. I want to fulfill his wish. I also paid good money for this arrangement.”

Ruqaiya said she was not alone in coming for Haj in this way.

“I know many women from Bombay and Pune who have performed Haj with ‘arranged mahrams,’” she said.

Ruqaiya said she was able-bodied and was financially able to afford the Haj trip — and these are the two basic requirements making Haj obligatory.

“As far as the mahram is concerned, I think there must be some provision that allows people like me to perform Haj. I am not a scholar to comment on its legality, but I pray to Allah that He accept my Haj,” she said.