Hajj for Women: the Do’s and Don’ts
THE spirit of Haj is turning to Allah wholeheartedly in humble and passionate yearning and ardent love and devotion. This spirit should rule the hearts of all pilgrims at all times, regardless of gender differences.
Men and women during Haj also share equally in the various dos and don’ts. Both must refrain from all forms of intimate sexual contact with spouses. They also must shun all vain talks, wrangling, and quarrels.
Likewise, both males and females must absolutely avoid using any kind of perfumes or scents, clipping nails, removing, plucking, trimming or shaving of hair, etc.
It is, however, permissible for both males and females during ihram to bathe or take showers or wash.
Likewise, they are permitted to use ordinary shampoos, soaps or creams, lotions, etc. so long as these are not scented.
Specific issues or regulations that concern women exclusively during Haj can be listed as follows:
Unlike men, women are allowed to wear their normal clothes regardless of whether they are sewn or not. There are no restrictions whatsoever on the kind of clothes they can wear during the state of ihram so long as they are not dyed in saffron or scented. Thus it is permissible for them to wear even clothes with colors or designs; although women pilgrims may do well in keeping it simple and avoid attractive designs and colors. After all, it should be noted, the hallmark of Haj is simplicity and humility before the Creator.
Women, again as opposed to men, are also allowed to wear shoes, slippers or sandals as they choose.
Women, however, are not allowed to wear either face-veils or hand-gloves during ihram; they must not cover their faces while in a state of ihram.
Women who are menstruating should assume ihram after a bath and recite Talbiyah and engage in dhikr and dua. However, they must not offer Prayer.
Menstruating women can perform all of the rituals of Haj with the sole exception of Tawaf (going around the Kabah). As far as performing Tawaf is concerned, they should postpone it until such time that they are free from menses and have cleaned themselves through ghusl (bathing).
If, however, because of special circumstances beyond their control, they find themselves unable to stay in Makkah (for instance, they have no choice but to leave with the group because of inability to change or reschedule travel plans), then they are allowed to perform Tawaf while still menstruating after cleaning themselves and wearing pads, etc.
The above ruling is given by Imam Ibn Taymiyyah. It has been based on a valid principle of Islamic jurisprudence which states that any condition — upon which the validity of a certain act of worship is dependent — can be waived if a person cannot fulfill the same; and the act of worship thus performed will be considered as valid without it. An example for this is covering oneself during Prayer. Thus if a person finds himself unable to cover his awrah (what must be covered) because he could not find anything to wear, then he must still pray without covering himself and his prayer will still be considered as valid, although in ordinary circumstances such a Prayer will be considered as null and void.
The same rule applies to a menstruating woman who must leave Makkah because of special circumstances beyond her control. The normal condition of cleansing from menses for the validity of Tawaf is waived in her case, and her Haj will be considered as perfectly valid.
Finally, rules for women are relatively more relaxed in regards to throwing pebbles at the Jamrat in Mina (stone pillars). Thus women, as well as those who are weak and elderly, are allowed to leave Muzdalifah early before Fajr in order to perform the rite of throwing pebbles before the crowd arrives in Mina.
In conclusion, I must point out that while it is important to pay due attention to the formal aspects of Haj, one must never lose sight of the inner dimensions of Haj.
Hajj Bayt Allah Ki Taseer
Wisdom Behind Shaving the Head During Haj
The wisdom is that by shaving off one’s hair, one demonstrates one’s sincerity and humility to Almighty Allah without caring for one’s physical appearance.
This practice of shaving or clipping the hair is affirmed by the Qur’an, the Sunnah of the Prophet, and the consensus of the Muslim scholars.
Almighty Allah says: “Indeed Allah shall fulfill the true vision which He showed to His Messenger (peace be upon him) [ i.e. the Prophet saw a dream that he has entered Makkah along with his Companions, having their (head) hair shaved and cut short] in very truth…” (48:27)
Both Al-Bukhari and Muslim quote the Prophet (peace be upon him) as saying, “May Allah bless those who shaved (their head during Haj).” The Companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what about those who cut their hair short?” Thereupon the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “May Allah bless those who shaved.” They repeated their question the third time, and again the Prophet said, “May Allah bless those who shaved.” When they asked him for the fourth time, “O Messenger of Allah, what about those who clip their hair short?” He said, “And (may Allah bless) those who clip their hair short.”
Shaving here means removing hair of the head with a razor, etc., or plucking them out. It suffices, however, to remove only as many as three hair. And cutting the hair short means cutting the length of one fingertip of the head’s hair.
However, the issue of which one is obligatory, between shaving or cutting hair short, is controversial among jurists. Most scholars hold that shaving or cutting the hair short is obligatory, and one failing to do so is to slaughter an animal in order to atone for this omission.
According to the Shafi’i school, it is an integral part of Haj.
Jannati Aur Jahannami Firqa
Ways To Fill The Heart With Life
The keys to the life of the heart lie in reflecting upon the Qur’an, being humble before Allah in secret, and leaving sins.
– Ibn Al-Qayyim (Hadi Al-Arwah Ila Bilad Al-Afrah, pg.45)
Allah said: “A Book which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its verses, and that men of understanding may take heed.” (Qur’an, 38:29)
So Allah informed us that He sent down this Great Qur’an, blessed in its wording, meaning, commands, prohibitions, and regulations. Among its blessings is that whoever recites even one word of it has a reward, and this reward is increased tenfold, as mentioned in the Hadith reported by Al-Tirmidhi. Also, the one who reads it and acts upon it will not be misguided in this world, nor will fall into distress or misery in the Hereafter, as Ibn Abbas said so in the commentary to the following verse:
“Whoever follows My Guidance shall neither go astray nor fall into distress and misery.” (Qur’an, 20:123)
Among the blessings of the Qur’an is that whoever learns it and teaches it, is from among the best of people, as mentioned in the Hadith reported by Al-Bukhari: “The best of you is the one who learns the Qur’an and then teaches it.” (Al-Bukhari, 6/501 no. 545)
The Qur’an will also be an intercessor on the Day of Judgement for its companions who used to act by it in this world as mentioned in two narrations of Sahih Muslim (2/385, no. 1757-59).
Allah informed us that He revealed the Qur’an so that its meanings, commands, and prohibitions may be reflected over. If one were to come across a verse commanding something, he should obey the command; if the verse forbids something, he should desist from it; if it was concerning the Mercy of Allah then he should hope for this Mercy and ask for it; if the verse threatened with punishment then he should fear it and seek refuge with Allah from it; if the verse was about the glorification of Allah then he should glorify Allah. By doing so, faith, knowledge, guidance, and piety will increase.
Allah said about the believers:
“And when His verses are recited unto them, they increase their faith.” (Qur’an, 8:2)
Allah also said:
Do they not ponder over the Qur’an or are there locks upon their hearts? (Qur’an, 47:24)
Among the ways of giving life to the heart is to be humble to Allah in secret. Meaning to desire and long for Allah through du’a, seeking forgiveness, turning to Him, asking for help and support, Paradise and shelter from Hellfire at the time when Allah descends to the lowest heaven in the last third of the night, as mentioned in the authentic Hadith:
“Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven when a third of the night remains, saying: Who is supplicating to Me that I may answer him? Who is asking of Me that I may give him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me that I may forgive him?” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
This Hadith contains encouragement to stand in the last part of the night, praying, making dua, and asking for forgiveness, Paradise, and release from the fire of Hell. Indeed Allah commanded us to make dua and promised to accept Allah, who is far removed from imperfection, does not violate His promises.
Leaving sins is also another way of giving life to the heart, as mentioned in the Hadith:
“When the servant performs a sin a black spot appears on his heart, and if he seeks forgiveness this black spot is removed, and if he returns to sin the black spot grows until his heart becomes black, and this is the ‘Raan’ about which Allah said, ‘Nay! But on their hearts is the covering of sins (raan) which they used to earn.’” (Qur’an, 83:14) (An-Nasa’i and Al-Tirmidhi)
A poet said, “I saw sins killing the hearts, breeding ignominy due to their addiction. And in the desisting from sins lies its life and it is best for your soul that you preserve it.” – Al-Hidaayah.
– By Sheikh Ibrahim Bin Abdullah Al-Hazimi
Nabi e Akram (Salallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) Ka Pasandida Istighfar
Angels Ask Forgiveness For The Believers
AlQuran..Surat..AL-MU’MIN (“The Believer”)
Those [angels] who carry the Throne and those around it exalt [ Allah ] with praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask forgiveness for those who have believed, [saying], “Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire. (7)
Our Lord, and admit them to gardens of perpetual residence which You have promised them and whoever was righteous among their fathers, their spouses, and their offspring. Indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise (8)
And protect them from the evil consequences [of their deeds]. And he whom You protect from evil consequences that Day – You will have given him mercy. And that is the great attainment(9)
Indeed, those who disbelieve will be addressed, “The hatred of Allah for you was [even] greater than your hatred of yourselves [this Day in Hell] when you were invited to faith, but you refused..(10)
They will say, “Our Lord, You made us lifeless twice and gave us life twice, and we have confessed our sins. So is there to an exit any way?” (11)
[They will be told], “That is because, when Allah was called upon alone, you disbelieved; but if others were associated with Him, you believed. So the judgment is with Allah, the Highest, the Grand.”(12)
Hafze Ki Mazboti Ki Dua
Remembrance Of Allah
002.063 And [recall] when We took your covenant, [O Children of Israel, to abide by the Torah] and We raised over you the mount, [saying], “Take what We have given you with determination and remember what is in it that perhaps you may become righteous”
004.142 The Hypocrites – they think they are over-reaching Allah, but He will over-reach them: When they stand up to prayer, they stand without earnestness, to be seen of men, but little do they hold Allah in remembrance;
005.007 And remember the favor of Allah upon you and His covenant with which He bound you when you said, “We hear and we obey”; and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Knowing of that within the breasts.
005.011 O you who have believed, remember the favor of Allah upon you when a people determined to extend their hands [in aggression] against you, but He withheld their hands from you; and fear Allah . And upon Allah let the believers rely.
005.020 And [mention, O Muhammad], when Moses said to his people, “O my people, remember the favor of Allah upon you when He appointed among you prophets and made you possessors and gave you that which He had not given anyone among the worlds.
005.091 Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?
007.069 “Then do you wonder that there has come to you a reminder from your Lord through a man from among you, that he may warn you? And remember when He made you successors after the people of Noah and increased you in stature extensively. So remember the favors of Allah that you might succeed.”
007.074 “And remember when He made you successors after the ‘Aad and settled you in the land, [and] you take for yourselves palaces from its plains and carve from the mountains, homes. Then remember the favors of Allah and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.”
007.171 “And [mention] when We raised the mountain above them as if it was a dark cloud and they were certain that it would fall upon them, [and Allah said], “Take what We have given you with determination and remember what is in it that you might fear Allah .”
007.201 Indeed, those who fear Allah – when an impulse touches them from Satan, they remember [Him] and at once they have insight.
007.205 And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear without being apparent in speech – in the mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless.
008.045 O you who have believed, when you encounter a company [from the enemy forces], stand firm and remember Allah much that you may be successful.
011.114 And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.
011.120 And each [story] We relate to you from the news of the messengers is that by which We make firm your heart. And there has come to you, in this, the truth and an instruction and a reminder for the believers.
013.028 “Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured”
018.028 And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.
018.101 Those whose eyes had been within a cover [removed] from My remembrance, and they were not able to hear.
020.042 “Go, you and your brother, with My signs and do not slacken in My remembrance.”
020.113 And thus We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an and have diversified therein the warnings that perhaps they will avoid [sin] or it would cause them remembrance.
024.037 [Are] men whom neither commerce nor sale distracts from the remembrance of Allah and the performance of prayer and giving of zakah. They fear a Day in which the hearts and eyes will [fearfully] turn about –
026.227 Except those [poets] who believe and do righteous deeds and remember Allah often and defend [the Muslims] after they were wronged. And those who have wronged are going to know to what [kind of] return they will be returned.
029.045 Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.
039.021 Do you not see that Allah sends down rain from the sky and makes it flow as springs [and rivers] in the earth; then He produces thereby crops of varying colors; then they dry and you see them turned yellow; then He makes them [scattered] debris. Indeed in that is a reminder for those of understanding.
043.036 And whoever is blinded from remembrance of the Most Merciful – We appoint for him a devil, and he is to him a companion.
057.016 Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the truth? And let them not be like those who were given the Scripture before, and a long period passed over them, so their hearts hardened; and many of them are defiantly disobedient.
058.019 Satan has overcome them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah. Those are the party of Satan. Unquestionably, the party of Satan – they will be the losers.
062.009 O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu’ah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you if you only knew.
063.009 O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that – then those are the losers.
069.012 That We might make it for you a reminder and [that] a conscious ear would be conscious of it.
072.017 “So We might test them therein. And whoever turns away from the remembrance of his Lord He will put into arduous punishment.”
073.008 And remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with [complete] devotion.
074.055 Let any who will keep it in remembrance!
074.056 And they will not remember except that Allah wills. He is worthy of fear and adequate for [granting] forgiveness.
080.012 Therefore let whoso will keep it in remembrance.
089.023 And Hell, that Day, is brought (face to face),- on that Day will man remember, but how will that remembrance profit him?
Note: Reading of the Arabic Quran is necessary, translations do provide general awareness but cannot hold all the dimensions of any verse.