হজ্জ

The foundational story of হজ্জ is inseparable from the story of a woman. Hajar (Hagar), wife of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and mother of Prophet Ismail (Ishmael), was left by divine command in the barren valley of মক্কা মুকাররমা with her infant son. When their water ran out, she desperately ran between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times, searching for water or help. Her faith, courage, and refusal to despair in the face of extreme vulnerability are enshrined eternally in the rite of sa'i — every হজ্জ and উমরাহ হাজী, male and female, reenacts her journey. The well of Zamzam, which burst forth beneath baby Ismail's feet (or by the strike of the angel Jibreel), has flowed continuously for thousands of years as a testament to her faith. No other individual in Islam, aside from the prophets themselves, has a ritual act of worship named in their honor in this way.

নবী করীম Muhammad (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) performed his Farewell হজ্জ accompanied by all his wives, who participated fully in the হজ্জ rites. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated extensive details of নবী করীম's হজ্জ, and her accounts form the foundation of much হজ্জ jurisprudence. It was Aisha who reported her menstruation upon arriving in মক্কা মুকাররমা, leading to নবী করীম's compassionate guidance that shaped rulings for menstruating women during হজ্জ for all time. Umm Salamah reported riding নবী করীম's mount and performing তাওয়াফ from it. Asma bint Umays gave birth at the miqat during the Farewell হজ্জ, and নবী করীম's instructions to her established rulings for women in nifas during হজ্জ. These women were not passive participants but active narrators and transmitters of হজ্জ knowledge whose contributions remain authoritative fourteen centuries later.

Throughout Islamic history, women have undertaken the হজ্জ journey despite the formidable challenges of pre-modern travel. Queens and noblewomen organized elaborate হজ্জ caravans — Zubaydah bint Ja'far, wife of Caliph Harun al-Rashid, famously commissioned the construction of water stations along the route from Baghdad to মক্কা মুকাররমা, a infrastructure project that benefited হাজীগণ for centuries and is still commemorated today. Shajarat al-Durr, who briefly ruled Egypt in the 13th century, was a patron of হজ্জ infrastructure. Ordinary women from across the Muslim world — from West Africa to Southeast Asia — undertook journeys of months or years to reach মক্কা মুকাররমা, often facing dangers that modern হাজীগণ cannot imagine. Their determination and sacrifice testify to the profound spiritual pull of হজ্জ for women throughout Islamic civilization.

The modern era has seen significant improvements in women's access to and experience of হজ্জ. Saudi Arabia's expansion of মসজিদুল হারাম has dramatically increased women's সালাত spaces and facilities. Female-specific medical services, security personnel, and religious guides are now standard features of the হজ্জ infrastructure. The relaxation of mahram requirements for women over 45 in organized groups has expanded access for women who previously could not fulfill the হজ্জ obligation. Women scholars, doctors, and organizers now play visible roles in হজ্জ operations and guidance. Technology — including the ইহরামOS app — provides women with direct access to religious guidance, safety tools, and community support that were previously dependent on male intermediaries. The story of women and হজ্জ continues to evolve, building on the profound legacy established by Hajar thousands of years ago.