In a significant development, the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has granted conditional permission for Pakistani women to perform Hajj without a mahram, paving the way for greater freedom and autonomy for female pilgrims.
The CII’s decision comes in response to a query from the Religious Affairs Ministry, which had sought the council’s opinion on the matter. In its written reply, the CII stated that there is a provision in sharia for a woman to perform Hajj or Umrah without a mahram, according to the Jafria, Maliki, and Shafi’i schools of thought.
The CII has conditioned the permission with the requirement that a woman performing Hajj without a mahram must be accompanied by a group of trustworthy women. The Religious Affairs Ministry has also been tasked with properly scrutinizing any Hajj group in which a woman intends to perform the religious obligation without a mahram.
This decision is a positive step towards addressing the long-standing issue of mahram requirements for female pilgrims. It will empower Pakistani women to perform Hajj without the need for a male guardian, allowing them to fulfill their religious obligations with greater independence.
The CII’s decision aligns with the Saudi government’s move last year to allow women from across the world to perform Hajj and Umrah without a mahram. This reflects a growing recognition of the need to facilitate female participation in religious activities without undue restrictions.
While the conditional permission granted by the CII is a welcome development, it is important to acknowledge the concerns raised by the Hanafi and Hanbali schools of thought, which consider Hajj to be non-obligatory for women without a mahram. It is crucial to engage in ongoing dialogue and find solutions that accommodate the diverse perspectives within Islam.
Overall, the CII’s decision represents a significant step forward in promoting gender equality and empowering Pakistani women to exercise their religious freedoms. It is a testament to the evolving interpretations of Islamic jurisprudence and the growing recognition of women’s rights within the Muslim community.
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