Source: Leadership
Never before have so many of our female pilgrims been detained in, and later deported from, Saudi Arabia because they did not have "mahram". A woman can be allowed to perform the Hajj under the care of a constituted authority, not necessarily a mahram.

Therefore, the detention and deportation of our sisters who intended to perform this year's Hajj by the Saudi authorities is suspect. We believe that there is more to this than meets the eye, particularly as the Saudis are not responding to letters from the Nigerian government. Is this politics?

Our Amirul Hajj, Sultan Sa'ad Abubakar III, as special envoy, should not be treated with disdain anywhere in the world. He is the mahram of all pilgrims and therefore deserves respect. So those playing politics with the Hajj or with our female pilgrims should think twice.

Simply put, an intending female pilgrim's mahram is an adult male who is sound in mind and body and is in a position to guide her during the Hajj. He must not be incapacitated or spiritually deficient; he must be matured enough to carry out obligations to her within the dictates of the law. However, the issue of mahram is somewhat relaxed when it comes to the Hajj because the journey is undertaken en masse under a constituted authority. Waivers are often granted.

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, not because it is less important but because, like all Islamic injunctions, it comes with very strong reasons. It is recommended for those who can afford it. One has to be in good health -- mentally and physically. It is more than just a religious ritual and obligation; it is an act that is expected to bring about great fulfilment in this world and the hereafter.

Every year, millions of Muslims the world over undertake this journey and all the acts that come with it with joy and happiness.

Some Muslims spend their life savings just to fulfil this obligation. For others, it is a matter of spiritual will. It is a journey that is all-encompassing, involving economic, social, and spiritual undertakings. The pilgrims are allowed to trade in wares and there are lots of social interactions along religious lines.

Certainly, there are expectations from the pilgrims. However, these are not mere dictates from the host country but directives from the Almighty and the Prophet (SAW). They are actually non-negotiable and every intending pilgrim must be conversant with these laws.

This is why the issue of mahram needs to be explained with clarity: the injunction on intending female pilgrims having mahram comes with the undeniable wisdom that the Almighty applies in dealings with us mere mortals. Sometimes these laws are simply inexplicable and may cause us to wonder; at other times, it just gradually explains itself. 

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