The Makkah pilgrimage is a life changing experience that is touching to all Muslims. It is a walk of heart, a corporeal expression of a devotion, and a restoration of the spiritual roots. The essential rites of Umrah can be general in every case, however, it may vary a bit according to gender because religious prescriptions and practical arrangements are different. To women, this pilgrimage is an experience of an in depth renewal of their faith, as they are standing head to head with the rest of the worldwide Muslim population in the House of Allah.
The Role of Women in Umrah is something that should be known to anyone who wants to take this religious journey. Although, men and women have the same spiritual aspirations, which is to be forgiven, renewed and be closer to the Creator, women have a special system of jurisprudential rules of dress, company, and purity in rituals. These rules are not obstacles but instead are certain roads that will allow them to be worshiped in a good and smooth manner. Women have never been in the pilgrimage scene more than now, representing an ancient form of love, and the new travel policies.
Historical Significance of Women in Pilgrimage
Since the dawn of time, women have been part of the Islam narrative and pilgrimage. It is impossible to imagine sacred waters of Zamzama or running between Safa and Marwa without referring to Hajar (AS). The desperate quest of her infant boy, Ismail, to get water is the genesis of the Sa’i ritual that is now done by millions of pilgrims in the world. When you are planning the Umrah Package from USA, this rich historical meaning is something that you will experience during the spiritual journey.
Her courage and faith in Allah acted like a role model to all the faithful but more to women. By practicing Sa’i nowadays, a woman is a recreation of the conflict and victory of a religious matriarch. This historical background is an added value to the pilgrimage as the female travelers are reminded of their presence in the Haram and refer to the heritage of great women who preceded them.
The Mahram Ruling: A New Era of Accessibility
This aspect of a female traveling to Saudi Arabia has been one of the most important and controversial ones over the decades: they may require a Mahram, a male guardian, who could be a husband or father, or a brother. This regulation frequently rendered the wish to visit to the Holy Cities hard on single women, widows and those who had no willing relatives to do so.
But in a historic change, Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has stated that women can now make the Umrah without a Mahram. With this ruling, Haram has been opened to thousands of women who never had the opportunity to make the trip. Women are also able to travel in safe groups and thus the logistics of the trip is much easier. This modification recognizes the security of contemporary travelling and will allow women to pursue this spiritual duty in their terms as long as they are safe and secure.
Ihram and Dress Code
The state of Ihram is a holy state of purity which every pilgrim has to get into prior to crossing the Miqat border. In the case of men, this is by wearing two untailored pieces of white cloth. In the case of women, the regulations are different and they are usually more relaxed.
The Ihram of a woman does not entail the use of specific white clothes. She is allowed to wear her normal stitched clothes though they must be modest, loose-fitting and to cover all the parts of the body (Awrah) except the face and hands. Simple abayas of black, white or neutral colors are popular among women so that they can blend and worship. It has been all about simplicity and modesty; and the pilgrimage is an occasion to forget about worldly decorations. Women are also not allowed to wear niqab on their face or wear gloves when in their state of Ihram but can wear a piece of cloth over their faces in the company of non-Mahram men.
Navigating the Rituals
The Umrah rituals, Tawaf (circumambulation) and Sa’i (walking between hills) are physically exhausting once in Makkah. Women do them with men and in most cases in the same overcrowded areas.
Tawaf
It is advisable that women should stand away in the midst of the densest crowds during the Tawaf in order to avoid pushing and shoving. Men will also walk around with chest out in the first 3 rounds, whereas women walk at a normal speed. It is concerned with keeping khushoo (focus) and guarding the personal territory.
Sa’i
Both sexes have the same ritual of Sa’i. Women are going back and forth seven times between hills Safa and Marwa. Where men are expected to either walk or run at a reasonable speed so as to use up more calories, women are not expected to do so and are supposed to walk at an average pace.
Tahallul
In order to undertake the Umrah, pilgrims have to leave the state of Ihram. Men normally shave off their heads (Halq) or cut back their hair (Taqsir). In the case of women it is not more than to cut a small section of hair–say that of a fingertip–off the end of the braid or mass of hair. Women are not allowed to have their heads shaved.
Menstruation and Worship
The effect of menstruation on the Umrah of female pilgrims is one of the most prevalent issues that female pilgrims have. The Islamic jurisprudence states that during her menstrual period, a woman is not allowed to pray Salah and do Tawaf around the Kaaba.
When a woman starts her menstrual cycle before or during the trip, she takes Ihram as any other person except that she must postpone her Umrah till after she is clean. She is also capable of doing other worshiping activities like making of the Dua, recitation of dhikr and visiting of holy places but waits to do the Tawaf. It is important to plan based on one cycle. Several women will meet doctors to prescribe medicine safely to postpone their cycle during the trip so that they can not be interrupted in their rituals.
Safety and Practical Tips
Going to Umrah will take physical and psychological preparation. The following are some suggestions that can make the journey a smooth sail:
Group Travel
Travelling in a group is safe and companionship although there is no Mahram. These agencies as Salah Travels, deal with the arrangement of safe and controlled parties which meet the particular requirements of female pilgrims making sure that they are not alone in the trip.
Footwear
You will have to walk kilometers daily. Buy good and comfortable walk-in shoes. You are going to be barefooted or with socks in the mosque hence you should carry grip socks to avoid slipping in the marble floor.
Hydration and Health
The heat at the desert can be fierce. Carry lots of Zamzam water, bring unscented moisturizers and sunblock since scented ones are not allowed in Ihram.
The Spiritual Impact
In addition to the fiqh and the logistics, the inclusion of women in the Holy Sanctuaries also adds to the spiritual nature of the Umrah. It is an impressive scene to find women of every race, ages and background crying in supplication at the Multazam or reading the Quran in the Mosque of the Prophet.
It’s a special break in the life of many women, who are too busy with family, career and society. It is a time when they are basically only servants of Allah. The experience usually brings with it a renewed purpose and a more intimate relationship with the divinity that leaves an impact in their lives even after going back home.
When we consider the current picture of pilgrimage, the Role of Women in Umrah is becoming more visible and less challenging. The entry barriers are also reducing and more women will be able to enjoy the tranquillity of Makkah and Madinah, with the relaxed travel restrictions, and the special services provided by organizations such as Salah Travels. Alone, or with friends, or family, women still are an essential, living constituent of the ceaseless procession of worshippers round the Kaaba.
Embracing the Call
The invitation to come and visit the house of Allah is a blessing that cuts across the gender. To women, the Umrah is a measure of their strength, belief, and centrality in the Islamic society. Since the time of footsteps of Hajar, to the millions of women who are walking the marble pavements of the Haram today, the presence of women in Makkah is a strong story of devotion.
When you are getting the call to come to the Holy Lands, do not be paralyzed by logistical anxieties. Plan ahead, get knowledge of the ritual, and believe in the process.
