This year’s Haj pilgrimage is set to be a historic one for India. With over 4,300 women registering to undertake the journey without a mahram or male guardian, this is the largest contingent of Indian Muslim women to embark on Haj independently. While it signals a shift in attitudes toward women’s participation in religious events, it has also made way for debate on reforms in Muslim religious policies.
For years, Saudi law required female pilgrims to be accompanied by male relatives (such as husbands and fathers) for Haj and Umrah purposes. However, Saudi Arabia lifted this requirement in October 2022, allowing Muslim women over 45 years of age to travel alone. This move was seen as a significant step toward women’s rights and empowerment in the Muslim world.
Haj is more than a religious obligation
As a Pasmanda Muslim whose parents have gone to Haj in the 1990s, I know just how special the opportunity is. People would wait for years and hope for a ‘lucky draw’. Women without immediate male relatives felt disheartened as they had to rely on the goodwill of distant relatives. Being a Muslim, I have been taught that Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a crucial religious duty for those who are physically and financially capable of performing it. It entails travelling to the holy city of Mecca and participating in rituals and prayers honouring the legacy of Prophet Abraham and his family. It provides an opportunity for contemplation, spiritual rejuvenation, and seeking divine mercy. Haj is a unifying experience that brings Muslims from diverse backgrounds together in a collective expression of faith, emphasising the shared values and humanity among them.
I have witnessed Muslims who, despite facing significant financial obligations, save up for years to be able to perform Haj. In some cases, when children establish successful careers after a long struggle, they express gratitude for their parents by gifting them an opportunity for pilgrimage. Thus, the significance of Haj transcends religious obligations; deep emotions influence people’s decision to visit the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad.
Islam has provided women with equal opportunities to practice their faith. And now, they can truly fulfil their religious obligation on equal footing. This significant step reflects the idea that all individuals are equal before Allah.
Also read: Muslim intellectuals defend madrasas, but their kids don’t go there. Only poor, Pasmandas do
Roadblocks to reform
Several scholars have probed the challenges that stood in the way of this decision. According to Sharia (Islamic law), the Hadith (written record of Prophet Muhammad’s sayings and actions) and their various interpretations, unaccompanied women pilgrims can’t travel to Mecca. Some scholars blame strict interpretations of the Hadith as the key reason women couldn’t fulfil their religious obligations, while others offer different explanations.
According to a statement by Ibn-Muflih (a leading authority in Hanbali Law) in al-Furu, a woman can perform Haj without a mahram if she is safe—a ruling that applies to all kinds of travel undertaken for “a righteous purpose”.
Meanwhile, other scholars quoted the Hadith while championing the cause of women pilgrims. In another Hadith, the Prophet mentioned that Adyy Ibn-Hatim would witness a lady travelling from al-Hira to Makkah in a howdah (elephant or camel ride) without her husband and fearing only Allah.
Also read: Waqf boards are India’s big urban landlords. But whose interest are they serving?
Debate around Muslim women’s travel
Most religious debates surrounding women travelling alone were based on concerns about their safety, especially when travel was more dangerous. The scholars who prohibited women from travelling without a mahram did so to ensure their protection and safeguard their honour. But travel in contemporary times differs greatly from what it was in the past. Today, we travel by ships and aeroplanes, which usually carry many passengers, automatically eliminating such fears.
The discourse around women’s travel without a mahram is just one aspect of the broader conversation around reform in the Muslim world. The issue of women’s rights and their treatment in society has been debated and discussed in Muslim communities for many years. In some cases, oppressive practices, such as forced wearing of the hijab and violence against women who do not comply with these practices, have led to calls for reform and greater equality. In 2018, Saudi Arabia even lifted the driving ban for women.
Thus, Saudi Arabia’s efforts to combat a radicalised view of the religion and promote a moderate and tolerant form are definitely welcome developments. As one of the most influential countries in the Muslim world and the birthplace of Islam, Saudi Arabia’s stance on these issues can significantly impact other Muslim nations.
The decision to allow 4,300 Indian women to travel to Mecca without a male guardian is a testament to the power of positive policy changes and their impact on women’s empowerment. Many Muslim scholars and activists are working on challenging oppressive practices and promoting a more inclusive and equitable society for women. But there’s still a long way to go.
Amana Begam Ansari is a columnist and TV news panelist. She runs a weekly YouTube show called ‘India This Week by Amana and Khalid’. She tweets @Amana_Ansari. Views are personal.
(Edited by Zoya Bhatti)