Treatment of female Nigerian pilgrims embarrasses Saudis at the start of hajj

[سيف الله]

Salaam

If true this is very disappointing :(

Nigerian women have been subjected to the very dishonour that a male guardian is allegedly required to protect them against

For the past five days, 1,000 female Nigerian pilgrims have been detained at an airport and various detention facilities in Saudi Arabia. They arrived in the country to conduct the annual pilgrimage, the hajj, a duty that every Muslim must fulfil once in their lifetime if they can afford to do so. Despite the fact that they had valid hajj visas, Saudi authorities would not allow them into the country as they were unaccompanied by male guardians (mahrams). While about 200 have already been sent back, the rest remain, awaiting a resolution of the matter between the Nigerian and Saudi governments.

The issue has precipitated a diplomatic spat between the two countries. A spokesman for the Nigerian vice-presidential office said he had received reports that the women were being subjected to "dehumanising treatment", being deprived of food and forced to sleep on cold floors. Paradoxically, and hypocritically, the women are being subjected to the very dishonour that a male guardian is allegedly required to protect them against.

Saudi Arabia prides itself on being "the custodian of the two holy mosques". Every year, the country hosts up to 3 million pilgrims as they perform the holy rite. It is a political and logistical feat, and Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in hajj infrastructure. However, the hajj is blighted with practical and logistical failures. And female pilgrims are often disproportionately affected, as they fall foul of arbitrary legal innovations and immigration disarray.

While the mahram requirement is notoriously well known, its application has been erratic. Female members of my family were sent back for not having a mahram as far back as the 1980s, but since then it has been common for women to be allowed to travel in convoys, sponsored by their diplomatic missions or equivalent authority. It seems that Saudis themselves admit that this is a new enforcement of the letter of the law: the Saudi ambassador in Abuja said that they had been "flexible in the past", but had decided to apply the law this time. To add to the humiliation, the implication that these women are not complying with religious law (of which Saudis believe their interpretation is the only arbiter) is insulting in the extreme: to want to complete the hajj at all (not to mention incurring the significant costs and physical hardship) would suggest a certain level of committed religious observance. In addition, the mahram rule is applied in its current extreme form only in Saudi Arabia. It is by no means a universal Islamic stipulation that other Muslims with different religious cultures would adopt, especially on a hajj trip lasting three days.

It is not the first time that female pilgrims have fallen victim to Saudi Arabia's random legislation. Last year, based on some internalised cultural stereotype, Saudis banned Moroccan women of a certain age from the umrah, a shorter pilgrimage, even if they were accompanied by mahrams, because of a belief that they were of loose morals and would somehow slip through the (very tight noose) of the umrah visa and entice Saudi men into underground prostitution rings.

Both incidents reek of national and racial discrimination. Nigerian officials claim that only Nigerian women were screened and subjected to such treatment. Unfortunately, in a region where there is sensitivity about the treatment of black Muslims – the term abda (slave) is one I heard often while living there – the cordoning off and manhandling of hundreds of black Muslim women looks very bad.

As the kingdom deported several thousand Nigerian overstayers last year, the mahram issue may well be a ham-fisted cover for a pre-emptive crackdown on immigration. Though it is perfectly within the kingdom's rights to apply entry conditions, it is unreasonable to do it under false pretences.

Whether it is the result of clumsy instruction from above or airport officials acting stubbornly and forcing the government to back them, the incident and the scores of angry women arriving in Nigeria and venting their ire to international media are an embarrassment to the Saudis at the beginning of hajj season.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/

[~Zaria~]

Assalamu-alaikum,

There is no benefit in quoting from sources such as the 'Guardian.co.uk' in matters of fiqh.

The article is written without knowledge of the postion of the different madhabs pertaining to women travelling, and hence for all intents and purposes, its criticisms are meaningless to one who has this understanding.

According to Hanafis, it is not permissible for a female to travel the safr distance (journey of three days i.e. more than 77 kms) without a Shari mahram even if it is for one’s Fardh Hajj.

According to the Shafii madhab, it is not permissible for a female to undertake any journey without being accompanied by a mahram.
With regards to hajj - it is the lesser opinion that is held, that hajj can be made in the companionship of other women.

This is based on the interpretation of the following hadith:

`Adî b. Hâtim relates that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said to him: "O `Adî, have you seen al-Hîrah (a region in Iraq)." `Adî replied: "I have not seen it, but I have heard of it."
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: "If you live long enough, you will see a woman departing by camel in a litter and traveling until she reaches the Ka`bah without fearing anyone but Allah."`Adî informs us that he thought to himself: "Where are the robbers and bandits who run rampant through the land?" Then `Adî says: "I have seen a woman travel by camel litter from al-Hirâh to the Ka`bah fearing no one but Allah." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî]


If we can strive to undertake every action for the pleasure of Allah (subhanawataala) - which means that we act in accordance to Quraan and Sunnah, in all matters (not just when we feel like it)......then these decisions are not difficult to make.

Allah does not lay on us a burden, that we can not bear.
And He is the Most Just, Most Compassionate.

If a women, who has no mahram and desires to make obligatory hajj.....but does not do so - purely because she LOVES Allah and FEARS Him -is this not better for her?
Allah Taa'la judges us based on our INTENTIONS.....not our actions.

And how pleased will He be, for any action taken for His pleasure and love.

;
To quote from forum rules:

It is a fact that Nigerian women are being turned away at the Saudi airport as we speak, as they are without mahrams.

I think it is important to discuss such matters - not with the intention of 'speaking against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia', but because we should be aware of what is happening in the world, and insha Allah learn from these lessons as well.


:wa:

[جوري]

Actually I called the Saudi embassy and a travel agency they don't grant you visas at all if you're (female) traveling alone unless you're over the age of 45. So I am not sure if it's thousands of detainees or just one unusual case. At any rate I know they're looking to 'western standard' the kingdom and I am not sure why they bother? Couldn't be anymore western influenced or western bought and yes I lived there for four years so my knowledge isn't from some western news source!

:w:

[~Zaria~]

Actually I called the Saudi embassy and a travel agency they don't grant you visas at all if you're (female) traveling alone unless you're over the age of 45. So I am not sure if it's thousands of detainees or just one unusual case. At any rate I know they're looking to 'western standard' the kingdom and I am not sure why they bother? Couldn't be anymore western influenced or western bought and yes I lived there for four years so my knowledge isn't from some western news source!

:w:

Assalamu-alaikum,

Even if it were to happen, that the Saudis permit entrance into the country without a mahram - does this matter?

We take our Islam from Quraan and Sunnah.

If we are true to ourselves, and wish to obey Allah in all matters - then we would limit ourselves in this dunya (despite what the current ruling of the land is).

We may find such things difficult in life......

'......But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.' (Quran 2:216)



:wa:

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[جوري]

Of course - surely you conceive of situations where a woman needs to travel without a mahram!
What of those widows, divorced, orphaned etc etc? Should they not perform their last rite?
The rule of having a mahram is there for a reason and I assure you Islam allows for exceptions!
There's no point for rigidity ad'deen yousr wa lays 3osr.
Many women who have no one go with groups the condition however is that they must at least be 45 years of age!
We're not traveling through hadramoot in 800 BC.

:w:

[Alpha Dude]

A spokesman for the Nigerian vice-presidential office said he had received reports that the women were being subjected to "dehumanising treatment", being deprived of food and forced to sleep on cold floors.

If true, this is sad.

[Rhubarb Tart]

:sl:

What the point of turning them away? they spent money to get there and then to waste it? Just make sure others dont do the same.

[Insaanah]

:sl:

On matters such as this, it's best not to rely on one sole source, and that too from outside the country.

What actually occurred doesn't just seem to be a case of no mahrams. On the Hajj Show on the Islam Channel last week, there were many callers from Nigeria, and they all asked the same question, which was, is it necessary in Islam for a woman to have the same surname as her husband? Quite clearly, the story in Nigeria, or at least part of it, wasn't the same story that we were hearing.

They said they were travelling with their wives but as their surnames did not match, immigration officials refused to believe they were married, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria spokesperson Uba Mana told the BBC Hausa Service.

This was also an issue for many of the women who were deported last week - despite the fact that it is a common practice for Muslim women not to take their husband's name.

Others were stopped as the male escort listed on their visa had already arrived or was scheduled to travel later.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19792908

'Mismatched surnames'

Since Sunday, hundreds of Nigerian women have been stopped at the airports in Jeddah and Medina.

Nigeria's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Abubakar Shehu Bunu, said he had made a formal protest to the foreign affairs office in the capital, Riyadh, on Wednesday.

"They are stopping women particularly between the ages of 25 and 35 without a male relative. Those over 45 are not a concern to the Saudi authorities," he told the BBC's Hausa Service.

One woman told the BBC her group were being held in Jeddah not because they were travelling without male relatives but because the surnames on their passports did not correspond with those of their husbands.

"Our husbands' names are different from our surnames and they won't allow that," Bilkisu Nasidi, who travelled from the northern Nigerian city of Katsina, told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.

.....

It is a common practice for Muslim women in Nigeria not to take their husband's name.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19729897

It is likely that there may have been more reasons still, that might not yet have been reported. And we haven't heard the other side of the story.

[_Y168]

On the Hajj Show on the Islam Channel last week

I know that this is off the point of this thread, but has the Live Hajj Stream on Islam Channel started?

[Beardo]

Actually I called the Saudi embassy and a travel agency they don't grant you visas at all if you're (female) traveling alone unless you're over the age of 45. So I am not sure if it's thousands of detainees or just one unusual case. At any rate I know they're looking to 'western standard' the kingdom and I am not sure why they bother? Couldn't be anymore western influenced or western bought and yes I lived there for four years so my knowledge isn't from some western news source!

:w:

Agreed on the Western influence. I was shocked to see chains such as Forever 21 right next to the Masjidun Nabawi.

[Ramadhan]

Agreed on the Western influence. I was shocked to see chains such as Forever 21 right next to the Masjidun Nabawi.

Or Kentucky Fried Chicken right on the edge of Masjidil Haram But then again, I love fried chicken, so no complain from me, although I much prefered the Saudi homegrown, Al Bayk.:p

[جوري]

Agreed on the Western influence. I was shocked to see chains such as Forever 21 right next to the Masjidun Nabawi.

they always import garbage- I don't get it, they've diamonds and prefer custom jewelry! Does that make sense? I bought several dresses by a Saudi designer his brand is called femi9 which would have cost a zillion dollar here for inferior quality and yet still they'd rather import crap.
Like br. Ramadan said he preferred their own brand so why the need for Kentucky?
Wish the Muslim world over would take pride in its own work and stop chasing after rabid dogs!

:w:

[سيف الله]

Salaam

Different sources

Nigeria says Saudi deports 150 female pilgrims, holding 1,000

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...88P1NW20120926

Nigeria stops pilgrimages to Mecca over women row

(Reuters) - Nigeria has suspended flights to Saudi Arabia for the annual haj pilgrimage, following a diplomatic spat over the detention of hundreds of female pilgrims for arriving unaccompanied by men. Saudi authorities have deported more than 600 female Nigerian pilgrims and detained hundreds for trying to visit the holy city of Mecca without male relatives. Aminu Tambuwal, Nigeria's parliament speaker and the second most powerful Muslim in the government, was due to visit Saudi Arabia on Friday to try to resolve the spat.

"The airlift operations have been temporary stopped ... It does not make sense to airlift people to be detained on landing. We will resume when all outstanding issues are resolved," Uba Mana, spokesman of National Hajj Commission, said by telephone.

Women in Saudi Arabia are regarded as minors and require the permission of their guardian - father, brother, or husband - to leave the country, receive some kinds of medical treatment or work. They are not allowed to drive and are usually expected to be accompanied by a male chaperone.

"The Nigerian pilgrims came with their visas stating that they have to have a male guardian accompanying them, either a brother, a husband, or another relative," Saudi Haj Ministry spokesman Hatim Kadi said.

"Some came with their guardians and were allowed to enter. Those who came without their guardians were not. They violated the regulations which were clearly printed on their passports."

In Nigeria, where there are 80 Million Muslims, many practice a less restrictive form of Islam in which women are more or less free to move around as they like.

"I use this platform to plead with our compatriots, to leaders in Nigeria to be mindful of statements that we make on this issue so that we don't aggravate the situation," Tambuwal said late on Thursday.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8KS5WF20120928


However there Seems theres been a resolution to this dispute.


Nigeria resumes pilgrimages to Mecca, ending row over women


(Reuters) - Nigeria has resumed flights to Saudi Arabia for the annual haj pilgrimage, ending a diplomatic row over the detention of hundreds of female pilgrims for arriving unaccompanied by men, the country's haj commission said on Tuesday. Saudi authorities have deported more than 600 female Nigerian pilgrims and detained hundreds for trying to visit the Islamic holy city of Mecca without male relatives. Nigeria suspended flights to Saudi last week.

"Since the resumption of flights ... on Sunday a total of 8 flights have been operated conveying 3,786 pilgrims to the holy land," the Hajj Commission of Nigeria said in a statement.

"This success was recorded largely as a result of the directive given to state pilgrims' welfare boards, agencies, to ensure that only female pilgrims that have the appropriate Muharram (male companion) are boarded."

Women in Saudi Arabia are regarded as minors and require the permission of their guardian - father, brother, or husband - to leave the country, receive some kinds of medical treatment or work. They are not allowed to drive and are often expected to be accompanied in public by a male chaperone.

In Nigeria, where there are 80 million Muslims, many practice a less restrictive form of Islam in which women are more or less free to move around as they like.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...89102120121002

[Muslim Woman]

:sl:


how come they got the Visa but later were not permitted to enter KSA ?
When they fulfilled the VISA / Hajj form , they must have mentioned that with whom they will travel ?

[ardianto]

:sl:

Actually I called the Saudi embassy and a travel agency they don't grant you visas at all if you're (female) traveling alone unless you're over the age of 45.

Female Indonesian citizen under 45 could request "surat mahram" (mahram paper) if they want to go hajj without male guardian. The cost is about US$ 42. And they could get visa.

There are many Indonesian female under 45 who went hajj, and especially umrah, without male guardian, and they never got problem with Saudi immigration. However, they went in group that always with over-45 women, but not always their relatives.

Can women under 45 entering Saudi Arabia without male guardians?. There were many Indonesian women who worked in Saudi families houses. Mostly of them went to Saudi Arabia without mahram, and they never got problem with Saudi immigration.

Now, Indonesian authority has stopped sending housemaids to Saudi Arabia due of violance cases. It becomes a problem for Saudi families, and open an opportunity for illegal workers from Africa to work as housemaids in Saudi Arabia. The common trick that used by illegal workers to entering Saudi Arabia was coming as pilgrims.

[جوري]

I don't know what the laws are for Indonesia vs. other countries. I am speaking of my own experience- My sis and Bro in law were going to make pilgrimage this year and I wanted to go, so I made many phone calls to see if I could tag along and she and I would stay in our own room and he'd invite his dad as well and they'd take another room but they told me that I couldn't go unless I was at least 45. Unfortunately it didn't work out and even for my sis (work vacation day issues) so he ended up taking his dad for umrah only.
I desire very much to make pilgrimage before it is too late and especially before pilgrimage time happens in the summer as I tend to sun stroke fast but when Allah swt wills.. I do wish everyone who desires to visit the house of Allah and complete their religious rite to be able to do so in shaa Allah..

:w:

[~Zaria~]

Assalamu-alaikum,

Question


I need to know whether there can be a concession for a female wanting to go for Hajj, my sister in law is a widow. Her 2 sisters intend going for hajj this year (2007) with their husbands and the sister would like to join them. Her father is unable to join them and she wants to know if there can be any concession for her as Hajj has become Fardh on her but has no Mahram. Please advise


Answer

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatoh

In Shariah, a woman is not allowed to take a journey of three days length without her being accompanied by her husband or mahram. Imam Muslim in his Sahih narrates:

عن أبي سعيد الخدري قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لا يحل لامرأة تؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر أن تسافر سفرا

يكون ثلاثة أيام فصاعدا إلا ومعها أبوها أو ابنها أو زوجها أو أخوها أو ذو محرم منها (مسلم)

Abu Saeed narrates that Rasullah (Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “It is not permissible for a woman who bring Imaan and Allah and the Day of Judgment that she take a journey of three day’s length or greater, except that with her is her father, or her son, or her husband, or her brother, or one of her (other) mahram.

If a woman has the financial means to perform Hajj, then Hajj will become compulsory upon her. For that she will require a mahram. If she does not have a mahram, the execution of Hajj will be delayed until she has a mahram. If she does not have a mahram until death, she will have to make wasiyyat for her Hajj. Hajj is an act of worship in which a person sins are washed off. It would defeat the purpose to undergo a haram act to do hajj.

Al-Dar Al-Qutni narrates:

عن ابن عباس ان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال لا تحج امرأة الا ومعها محرم رواه الدار القطنى

It is narrated on the authority of Ibn Abbas that Rasullah (Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said, “A women must not perform Hajj except that with her is a mahram.”

Fatawa Qazi Khan (1:283) Maktaba Rashediya

Rad Al-Muhtar (2:464) H.M. Saeed Company
Fatawa Mahmoodia (13:166) Maktaba Mahmoodia
Fatawa Raheemiya (8:307) Dar Al-Ishaat

- ولا يثبت الاستطاعة للمرأء اذا كان بينها وبين مكة مسيرة سفر شابة كانت أو عجوزا الا بمحرم - (فتاوى قاضيخان مع الهندية) - ( قوله ومع زوج أو محرم ) هذا وقوله ومع عدم عدة عليها شرطان مختصان بالمرأة فلذا قال لامرأة وما قبلهما من الشروط مشترك... ( قوله قولان ) هما مبنيان على أن وجود الزوج أو المحرم شرط وجوب أم شرط وجوب أداء والذي اختاره في الفتح أنه مع الصحة وأمن الطريق شرط وجوب الأداء فيجب الإيصاء إن منع المرض – (رد المحتار) - عورت کے پاس اگر اپنے حج کیلۓ روپہ کافی ہو اور شوہر یا کوئ محرم بہی جانے والا ہو تب تو اس کے ذمہ حج کیلۓ جانا فرض ہوتا ہے ورنہ فرض نہیں ہوتا ۔ بلکہ حج بدل کیلۓ وصیت کرنا ضروری ہوتا ہے جس کی تنفید ایک تہائ ترکہ سے لازم ہوتی ہے – (فتاوی محمودیہ) جب عورت کے حق میں اپنے فرض حج کی ادئیگی ميں شوہر یا کسی محرم کا ساتہ ہونا ضروری ہے محرح نہ ہو تو حج بدل کی وصیت کرے مگر محرم کے بغیر حج نہیں کر سکتی – (فتاوی رحیمیہ)


And Allah knows best
Wassalam
Ml. Ehzaz Ajmeri,
Student Darul Iftaa
Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah

Is it possible for a women to go to hajj or umrah in a group of people or in a group of women if there is no mahram willing to go with her?.

Praise be to Allaah.

The scholars, past and present, differed concerning this issue. Some of them said that it is permissible for a woman to travel for Hajj without a mahram if the road is safe and she is with a trustworthy group.

Some of them said that it is not permissible for her to travel except with a mahram who can protect her, even if she is with a trustworthy group. This is the view of Abu Haneefah and Ahmad. They quoted the following as evidence:

1 – It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No woman should travel except with a mahram, and no man should enter upon a woman unless there is a mahram with her.” A man said: “O Messenger of Allaah, I want to go out with such and such an army, and my wife wants to go for Hajj.” He said: “Go for Hajj with her.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1763) and Muslim (1341).

2 – It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allaah and the Last Day to travel for the distance of one day and one night except with her mahram.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1038) and Muslim (133). According to al-Bukhaari (1139) and Muslim (827), from the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed: “The distance of two days.”

Ibn Hajar said:

In the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed it is limited to “the distance of two days” and in the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah it is limited to “the distance of one day and one night.” There are also other reports. In the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar it is limited to “three days” and there are other reports too.

Al-Nawawi said: The apparent meaning of this definition is not what is meant, rather everything that is regarded as travel is forbidden to a woman unless she has a mahram with her. The definition of the limits was in reference to specific incidents. Ibn al-Muneer said: The differences in the definitions arose because there was different questioners in different situations.

End quote.

Fath al-Baari (4/75).

Secondly:

Those who say that a mahram is not required quoted the following as evidence:

1 – It was narrated that ‘Adiyy ibn Haatim (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: Whilst I was with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), a man came to him and complained of poverty. Then another came and complained about banditry. He said: “O ‘Adiyy have you seen al-al-Heerah?” I said: “I have not seen it, but I have been told about it.” He said: “If you live a long life, you will see a woman travelling from al-Heerah until she circumambulates the Ka’bah, fearing no one but Allaah.” … ‘Adiyy said: And I saw a woman travelling from al-Heerah until she circumambulated the Ka’bah, fearing no one but Allaah.

Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3400).

This argument may be countered by noting that this was simply the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) foretelling this incident. Speaking of an incident does not mean that it is permissible. Rather it may be permissible or not, depending on the shar’i evidence. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also foretold that drinking alcohol, zina and a great deal of killing would become widespread before the Hour begins, and these are things that are forbidden and are major sins.

What is meant by the hadeeth is that security would become widespread, so that women would feel emboldened and one of them would travel without a mahram. It does not mean that it is permissible for a woman to travel without a mahram.

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Not everything that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) foretold as signs of the Hour is haraam or forbidden. If the shepherds compete in erecting tall buildings, and wealth becomes widespread, and there is one man to look after fifty women, these things are undoubtedly not haraam. Rather these are signs, and a sign has nothing to do with whether it is halaal or haraam. Rather a sign may be good or bad, permissible or haraam or obligatory or anything else. And Allaah knows best. End quote.

It should be noted that the difference of scholarly opinion regarding the necessity of having a mahram in order to perform Hajj applies to the obligatory Hajj only. As for naafil (supererogatory) Hajj, the scholars are all agreed that it is not permissible for a woman to travel except with a mahram or husband, as it says in al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah (17/36).

The scholars of the Standing Committee said: A woman who does not have a mahram is not obliged to perform Hajj, because having a mahram is part of being able for it, and being able for it is one of the conditions of Hajj being obligatory.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allaah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence)”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:97]

It is not permissible for her to travel for Hajj or anything else unless she has her husband or mahram with her. This is the view of al-Hasan, al-Nakha’i, Ahmad, Ishaaq, Ibn al-Mundhir and Ashaab al-Ra’y, and this is the correct view, because of the verse quoted above as well as the general meaning of the ahaadeeth which forbid a woman to travel without her husband or mahram. Maalik, al-Shaafa’i and al-Awzaa’i disagreed with that and they stipulated conditions for which they do not have any proof. Ibn al-Mundhir said: They ignored the apparent meaning of the hadeeth, and each of them stipulated conditions for which they did not have any proof. End quote.

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (11/90, 91).

They also said:

The correct view is that it is not permissible for her to travel for Hajj except with her husband or her mahram. It is not permissible for her to travel with trustworthy women without a mahram, or with her paternal aunt, maternal aunt or mother. Rather it is essential that she be with her husband or a mahram.

If she cannot find someone to accompany her, then she is not obliged to do Hajj so long as that is the case.

End quote from Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (11/92).

And Allaah knows best.
Islam Q&A

[جوري]

she take a journey of three day’s length or greater,

No journey takes that long to anywhere in the world unless by train or boat!

:w:

[~Zaria~]

No journey takes that long to anywhere in the world unless by train or boat!

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allaah and the Last Day to travel for the distance of one day and one night except with her mahram.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1038) and Muslim (133). According to al-Bukhaari (1139) and Muslim (827), from the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed: “The distance of two days.”

Ibn Hajar said:

In the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed it is limited to “the distance of two days” and in the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah it is limited to “the distance of one day and one night.” There are also other reports. In the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar it is limited to “three days” and there are other reports too.

The conditions of women travelling without a mahram pertain to both distance and duration -- if either is met, this would necessitate being accompanied by ones husband/ mahram.


:wa:

[جوري]

The conditions of women travelling without a mahram pertain to both distance and duration -- if either is met, this would necessitate being accompanied by ones husband/ mahram.


:wa:

:sl: sis,
You're welcome to call the mufti's of Saudi and ask them why they've enabled such an allowance!
I am curious by same token if a woman is orphaned and has no male mahram what you believe she ought to do with regards to such things as marriage or work etc. since the world is full of those I am finding out that our sisters in Iraq are turning to prostitution and others in Syria are traveling on foot to Turkish borders after also losing everything! so I am not quite sure which is the lesser of two evils here?
Some laws are idyllic under an Islamic state but the sad reality is the world is full of ---- and some folks have to fend for themselves since no state fights for them!

[Flashnazia]

I think it's very sad these ladies were sent back, some of them having spent all their savings.

[ardianto]

Nigeria: Deported Pilgrims Begin Return to Saudi Arabia

12 October 2012


Abuja, Kaduna, Jalingo, Dutse, Ibadan, Katsina, Kano — Some of the Nigerian female pilgrims deported to the country from Saudi Arabia for lack of male guardians (muhram) about two weeks ago are now being taking back to the holy land for this year's hajj following resolution of the diplomatic misunderstanding between the two countries.

Report from Kaduna indicates that the affected pilgrims from Kaduna State have since returned to Saudi Arabia to continue with their observance of the hajj rites.

The state Pilgrims Welfare Board's public relations officer, Mallam Yunusa Muhammad confirmed the development, saying the remaining pilgrims were on their way back to Saudi Arabia.

"52 female pilgrims from Kaduna State were deported. Some, out of this number, have since returned. I don't have the statistics but I know that some were returned. Out of the remaining ones, some of them have got their second visa while we are still waiting for the remaining second visas. Pilgrims officers from respective local governments are used as Muhrams (male escorts) of the female pilgrims that is for those who don't have relatives going with them", he said.

Our Taraba correspondent reports that more than half of the 63 women pilgrims from the state deported by Saudi authorities have gone back while the remaining will today be airlifted back to the holy land to continue their hajj.

Chairman Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board for the state Alhaji Hamman Adama Tukur said 49 women out of the 63 that were deported had already gone back and the remaining 14 will leave today with hajj officials. Tukur said the deportees were between the ages of 18 and 35 years.

And in Jigawa, the certified visas of 193 pilgrims from the state out of the 205 that were deported had since been issued.

Executive Secretary of the state Pilgrims' Welfare Board Alhaji Sani Ahmed Alhassan the visas of the remaining pilgrims would be "ready any moment from now".

Report from Ibadan says the affected pilgrims from the state are still hopeful of being taking back to the holy land. One of the affected female pilgrims Mrs. Bolanle Ajibade said arrangements are on by pilgrims' board from the state to ensure that they do not suffer unjustly for the recent mix up.

The 16 Katsina female intending pilgrims deported last Wednesday from Saudi Arabia might perform this year's hajj, according to executive secretary of the Katsina pilgrims' board Alhaji Aminu Dababa.

Dababa said the Saudi Consulate in Kano had issued guidelines on how to ratify visa problems, saying "the board had already handed over their passports to Saudi Consulate office in Kano to effect the correct changes."

All the 50 deported female pilgrims from Kebbi State are going to be taken back for the hajj, executive chairman of the state Pilgrims Welfare Board Alhaji Usman Bello Suru said.

Suru said the board had commenced arrangement for returning all the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for this year's hajj, saying the board had returned the passports of the affected pilgrims to Kano for the re-issuance of visas.

But reports from Kano say the deported female pilgrims from state are yet to be flown back for the annual religious ritual.

Checks by Daily Trust in Kano revealed that none of the deportees has been taken back for the exercise as at yesterday.

One of the intending pilgrims told our correspondent that their passports had been collected by the state hajj officials, saying no date of departure had been communicated to them.

"We were told that the passports would be used to reprocess our entry visas to Saudi Arabia, but nobody was specific about the return date," said Maryam Sani.

Spokesperson of Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board Alhaji Nuhu Badamasi confirmed that none of the deported women pilgrims has been airlifted back to the holy land yet.


http://allafrica.com/stories/201210120716.html