Pakistani women have been granted conditional permission to undertake Hajj without a mahram, as reported by The News. The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) provided this approval, stating that, according to the Jafria, Maliki, and Shafi’i schools of thought, there is a provision in sharia allowing women to perform Hajj or Umrah without a mahram.
The Religious Affairs Ministry had sought the CII’s opinion on the matter, and the council responded in writing. The reply emphasized that a woman, with the consent of her parents or husband, could go for Hajj without a mahram, in accordance with the Jafria, Maliki, and Shafi’i schools of thought. However, it clarified that the obligation of Hajj for a woman is not mandatory (farz) if she lacks a male mahram, as per the Hanafi and Hanbali schools of thought.
It’s worth noting that in October of the previous year, the Saudi government had already granted permission for women worldwide to perform Hajj and Umrah without a mahram. The CII, while endorsing this decision, has conditioned the performance of Hajj for a woman without a mahram to align with the edicts of the Jafria, Maliki, and Shafi’i schools of thought, emphasizing the company of trustworthy women in a group.
Additionally, the CII advised the Religious Affairs Ministry to thoroughly scrutinize Hajj groups in which women intend to fulfill their religious obligations without a mahram.
Read more: Govt to Reduce Hajj 2024 Expenses to Make it More Affordable.
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