Q. If a woman wants to offer the pilgrimage and she has no close relative to accompany her as a mahram, how should she choose such a companion? Is it appropriate that she chooses a distant relative and travel with a group of relatives?
Khaleel ur Rehman
A. Islam requires that a woman should have a male companion when she travels anywhere for any purpose. This is one aspect of the care Islam takes of women. The purpose of having such a companion is to look after the woman in a strange place and on the way there. In line with the Islamic approach to propriety and morality, such a companion must be a husband or a relative the woman my not marry, such as a father, son, brother or nephew.
In the case where no such relative is available, the woman’s ability to offer the pilgrimage must be looked at carefully. She may have the funds to pay for her travel and expenses, but she does not have the means for such a travel. Hence, some scholars consider that a woman does not fulfill the question of ability in this case and, as such, she is exempt from the duty of pilgrimage. Having said that, however, I must add that other scholars, particularly the Shafie school of Fiqh, consider that ‘reliable companionship’ is acceptable in place of a mahram. Such a companionship may be a group of men and women whom the woman can easily trust. If these, or some of them, are the woman’s relatives, then they are appropriate for the woman to travel with.
Persuasion and encouragement
Q. Could you please explain how one may persuade people to offer their prayer in congregation when they happen to be together at some place? Often people reply to one’s suggestion to offer prayer together by saying that they will be praying when they go home.
Tahseen
A. The encouragement and persuasion to offer congregational prayer is already done by the Prophet who makes it clear that a congregational prayer is rewarded with 27 times its reward when prayed individually. There can be no further encouragement. It is often the case that people will join such a prayer when it is offered. However, a situation may be such that organizing such a congregational prayer is difficult. An example may be when a group of people are attending an evening function, after Maghrib has been offered. The place may not be particularly suitable for prayer. When a suggestion to organize such a prayer is made, it is the inconvenience that may be caused which makes some people feel reluctant to join. The same people would be grateful for an opportunity to join a congregation in different circumstances. This is a normal situation. Therefore, we need to consider every situation in a practical way so that prayer does not seem to be a burden.
Answer to Mr. Aboo Eesa
Thank you for your kind advice, but the article you mentioned has not made an error. It has simply expressed a valid view, citing supporting evidence from the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the views of earlier scholars. It also pointed out that the method it advocates is actually taken up by all Muslims in determining the timing of their prayers and the start of the day of fasting. Since it expresses an understanding of such texts, which is admissible in language, it should be taken as a point of view which may be right or wrong. If it is right, the author will receive, God willing, a double reward; and if it is wrong, he will receive a single reward from God. May God direct all our efforts to serving His cause.
Arab News Islam 24 January 2003
