As the 1447 AH Hajj season approaches, many women continue to raise questions about Islamic rulings related to Hajj rituals, particularly issues concerning Ihram, menstruation, Tawaf Al-Ifadah, and Tawaf Al-Wada. In this context, the Global Center for Electronic Fatwa (Al-Azhar) has clarified key jurisprudential guidelines for women performing Hajj. The center affirmed that Hajj is obligatory for every Muslim who is physically and financially able, whether male or female. It also explained that, according to the majority of scholars, a husband’s permission is not required for a woman to perform the obligatory Hajj. However, if a woman does not have the financial means, Hajj is not obligatory upon her, and a husband’s financial support is considered an act of kindness.
It further stated that a woman is permitted to perform Hajj on behalf of another person, male or female, provided she has already performed her own obligatory Hajj.
Rules of Ihram for Women
The center explained that a woman enters Ihram wearing her usual modest clothing that covers her entire body except the face and hands, based on the saying of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): “A woman in Ihram should not wear a niqab or gloves.” It added that women maintain a normal walking pace during Tawaf and Sa’i and are not required to perform raml in Tawaf or run between the two green markers in Sa’i, unlike men. It also clarified that women may wash their hair, undo it, and comb it during Ihram, based on the instruction of the Prophet (PBUH) to Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): “Undo your hair and comb it.”
Cutting Hair After Hajj
The center confirmed that women are not permitted to shave their hair after completing the rituals. Instead, they must trim a fingertip-length portion of their hair to complete the rites.
Menstruation During Hajj
Regarding menstruation, the center stated that if a woman begins menstruating while in Ihram, she may perform all rituals except Tawaf until she becomes pure. If menstruation occurs before Tawaf Al-Ifadah and the woman fears missing her group, she may perform Tawaf while taking necessary precautions. It also explained that if menstruation begins after completing Tawaf Al-Ifadah, the woman may travel whenever she wishes, and Tawaf Al-Wada is not required in her case.
