Important Terms For Women To Perform Hajj and Umrah

Hajj and Umrah are both sacred journeys in Islam religion, there is a slight difference in both voyages. Umrah is a Sunnah and Hajj is a Fard. Umrah is totally performed only in Makkah whereas Hajj is performed in Makkah and its surrounding areas.

What is the meaning of Fard and Sunnah?

The word Fard means compulsory and it is performed at a specific time whereas the word Sunnah means non-compulsory and it can be performed at any time. 

Umrah can be performed at any time of year except for the five days of Hajj. If one is living in the UK then he/she cannot perform Umrah at any time because Umrah Visa is not issued from the 16^th of Ramadan to the month of Dhul Hijjah (Hajj month), therefore, according to this year 2021, Umrah Visa process will start from the 1st September. Individuals can get benefits from the best travel agency through Umrah Packages 2022 All Inclusive From UK, they can get cheapest flights, hotels, and transports in these packages.

Both sacred journeys are equally prescribed for men and women but there are some different rules for women to perform Hajj and Umrah.

A single woman can’t perform Hajj and Umrah alone, she will require a Mahram to complete both journeys.

A hadith which is narrated by Ibn Abbaas (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) said:

“No woman should travel except with a mahram, and no man should enter upon her unless a mahram of hers is present.”

A man said:

“O Prophet of Allah, I want to go out with such and such an army and my wife wants to go for Hajj.”

He said:

“Go out (for Hajj) with her.”

(Sahih al Bukhari)

Hajj and Umrah Ministry of Saudi Arabia has made a rule for women to perform Umrah and Hajj with and without Mahram.

If a woman has reached at 45 years and above then she can perform Umrah without her Mahram in an organized group by submitting a permission letter from her Mahram in which it will be mentioned that she can travel alone.

Rituals of Hajj and Umrah are same for both men and women but its method is slightly different as the dress of Ihram is different for men and women. It is prescribed for men to wear two white color unsewn sheets whereas it does not happen for women. Women can wear a pair of socks, headscarf and usual dress for Ihram. It is prohibited for women to conceal their faces and hands in the state of Ihram.

It is not allowable for women to recite the Talbiyah loudly whereas it is essential for men to recite it loudly. Women should not raise their voices during the Dua (praying) and Salat (offering prayers). During the Tawaf of Hajj and Umrah, Ramal ritual is not prescribed for women rather it is prescribed for men.

Ramal means fast walking around the Kaaba during three circles of Tawaf. Women should complete the Tawaf of Hajj and Umrah with the usual speed and women should complete this ritual with keeping away themselves from the crowd of men. It is not essential for women to offer two rakats of nafls in front of Maqam e Ibrahim after the Tawaf, they can perform it in any area of Masjid al Haram where they find no crowd of men.

During the Sai ritual, individuals run between the green light areas, it is right for man but it is not right for women. Running between the Safa and Marwa is Sunnah for men for Sai because it was done by our Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and the Sahaabah (RA) after him. Companions of Prophet (PBUH) are called Sahaabah. However, women should complete this ritual with normal speed.

If a woman is under the age of 45 years then she will need a Mahram and it is a little bit difficult for everyone to travel with any other due to expenses of traveling are increasing day by day continuously, therefore, people can get 5 Star Cheapest Hajj Packages and Cheapest Umrah Packages with Flights from any travel agency which is providing Hajj and Umrah services. So every woman can perform the Hajj and Umrah with her Mahram easily.

May Allah give every one of us a chance to perform Hajj and Umrah with true intention.