How was journalist Sana Bucha’s Hajj without Muharram?

This year’s Hajj was a bit unique from the point of view of women. The Saudi government ended the Muharram condition for them, which had been going on for years. As a result, Sana Bucha, a well-known journalist and anchor from Pakistan, was able to achieve the blessing of Hajj alone.

This was his second Hajj. She had previously performed Hajj with her brother, so she has experienced both Hajj with and without Muharram.

Independent Urdu spoke to Sana Bucha on her return after Hajj and wanted to know the difference, she said that she did not notice much difference. He said: ‘It felt exactly like what happened with Muharram.’

The Saudi Hajj Ministry this time officially allowed women to perform the pilgrimage without a male relative, provided they go in a group. This decision is part of ongoing social reforms by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Sana Bucha says that women should have the option of performing Hajj alone, but it is better if accompanied by a man. Hajj is physically very difficult. Risk of heat stroke due to extreme heat, getting proper food, shade place, drinking enough water or not and wearing mask after covid 19 then you need someone who can help and guide you in such situation. .’

But she says that restricting Muharram to father, brother or husband creates difficulties for women. ‘My father has performed three Hajjs. Now why should they perform the fourth Hajj for me, that may be their question.

Women have to wait for men because of Muharram condition in our society. Sana says that most of the time men and women do not match. ‘If I wait for my husband to finish, then it is good to end this condition.’

Sana said that she knows a woman who had to wait for seven years (including two years due to the corona virus) to go out with men.

Since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman came to power, women in Saudi Arabia have been granted many privileges, including the ability to drive and travel abroad without a male guardian.

In Pakistan too, there has been a lot of discussion on the issue of Muharram and several fatwas have been issued in the past in favor of ending it.

A detailed explanation about Muharram Hajj without women has been given in 2017 on the Fatwa online website of Lahore-based Minhaj-ul-Quran Movement, Darul-Ifta.

It has been said in the fatwa that in ancient times, journeys were very difficult and dangerous. He used to pass through forests, deserts and difficult paths. Most travel was done on foot or on horses and camels. It used to take many weeks and months to go from one city to another. There was also a high risk of thieves, bandits and robbers during the journey. Therefore, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade women to travel without Muharram due to the hardships and dangers of travel in order to protect their chastity and integrity.

On the other hand, in a blessed hadith, it is also mentioned that the Prophet of Islam said to Hazrat Adi bin Hatim: “If your age is faithful, you will surely see that an old Al-Hira (Al-Hira is mentioned in ancient Iraq before Islam) It is very common in Arabia, which was the base throne of Lakhmiyyah) and will circumambulate the Kaaba but will not fear anyone except God.

Then Hazrat Adi (RA) says that I saw an old man walking from Hira and circumambulating the Kaaba and he had no fear of anyone except God.

According to the fatwa, in this blessed hadith, it is proven to travel alone when peace is established. Therefore, we must consider the reason and background for which a woman was absolutely prohibited from traveling or going on Hajj without Muharram. According to the fatwa, today the means of communication have developed a lot.

Numerous travel facilities and conveniences have been made available. There were no security issues during the trip. Government-level groups are formed to provide protection to women in the same way as Muharram, as if the security provided by the state has become Muharram. When a woman is in a trusted group of women, this collectivity plays the role of Muharram. In these circumstances, a woman can travel normally without Muharram and can also go on Hajj and Umrah.

There is also a fatwa from Karachi’s Jamia Banuria on the prohibition of women going without Muharram, in which it is said that a woman may die but cannot perform Hajj without Muharram. Yes, at the time of death, Hajj can make a change of will.

Of the nearly 1 million pilgrims from around the world this year, more than 400,000 were women, accompanied by their male relatives. The overall percentage of women was around 40 percent. The new decision is expected to increase this number in the coming years.

Hajj with husband and children has its own benefits and pleasures but in Hajj alone some people believe that you can connect with your Creator more equanimously. Sana says that you are not responsible for anyone in Hajj alone. This is my time and my God’s time. Where have you gone, your hand has not left, whether you are near me or not. At that time there is a different situation. I don’t even feel that there is anyone else with me. You can have a deeper conversation with Allah.

This time I saw so many women who had brought their mother. Their men had no time. A mother was being put off by her son for seven years saying it was next year, so now her daughter brought him.