Travel Guidelines
Preparing for Hajj and ‘Umrah.
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General & financial considerations
FINANCIAL READINESS
It is imperative to ensure that all earnings utilised are Halaal, adhering to ethical and lawful sources of income.
OUTSTANDING DEBTS
A person should refrain from embarking on a journey of Hajj or ‘Umrah if they have outstanding debts.
CORRECT INTENTION
Hajj & ‘Umrah should only be performed for the sake of Almighty Allaah alone.
Hajj & ‘Umrah protocols for females
IDDAH
Undertaking a journey of Hajj or ‘Umrah is not permissible while in the state of Iddah. (waiting period)
MAHRAM REQUIREMENT
A mahram is a mandatory requirement for women undertaking a journey beyond 77km, including Hajj or ‘Umrah.
FARDH HAJJ EXCEPTION
Imaam Shafi'ee and Imaam Maalik permit a woman to perform only her Fardh Hajj without a mahram, provided she travels with a group of women.
SCHOLARLY CONSENSUS
It is unanimously agreed upon by all A’immah (plural of Imaam) that a lady cannot perform ‘Umrah without a mahram, regardless of her age.
Who qualifies as a Mahram?
A mahram relationship is established through blood, marriage and breastfeeding (Rada'ah).
A mahram is a person with whom marriage is permanently forbidden due to a close blood relationship.
The concept of mahram is important in various aspects of Islamic law, particularly in relation to travel and interactions between men and women, ensuring the protection & maintenance of modesty, integrity, respect, and privacy within family units.
Blood relationships
- Father & Grandfathers(Paternal & Maternal)
- Sons & Grandsons
- Brothers(Full, Paternal, or Maternal)
- Nephews(Sons of Brothers & Sisters)
- Uncles(Paternal & Maternal Brothers of Parents)
Marriage relationships
- Husband
- Father-in-law & Grandfathers-in-law
- Sons-in-law(Husband of Daughters)
- Stepsons(Sons of a Husband from another Marriage, if the Marriage to the Mother is consummated)
- Stepfather(Mother’s Husband, if the Marriage is consummated)
Breastfeeding relationships
- Foster father(Husband of the woman who breastfed her)
- Foster brother(Nursing Mother’s Son or her Husband’s Son)
Conditions of a Mahram for travel
Sane
An adult
Trustworthy
Free from fear of temptation
If these conditions are not met, even though he remains her mahram in the legal sense, it will not be permissible for her to travel with him.