Appointing a Woman to the Command of Hajj
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Fatwa No. ( 610 )
Q: What is the ruling on appointing a woman to the command of Hajj, where she accompanies the pilgrims during the months of Hajj?
A: It is not permissible to appoint a woman to the command of Hajj; due to the generality of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2262Sahih (Darussalam) , and because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not appoint a woman to the command of a country or the command of Hajj, and the practice during the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs and the three centuries for which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) testified to goodness was in accordance with what was known in his time (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding not appointing a woman to the supreme command, or to the judiciary, or to the command of a country, or to the command of Hajj. Had it been permissible to appoint her to any of the aforementioned matters, it would not have been left aside for the most part throughout those centuries. Thus, the continuous practice of the people of those centuries in leaving that aside constitutes a practical consensus on its prohibition. Furthermore, appointing her to the command of Hajj necessitates
her mixing with the pilgrims to resolve their problems, manage their affairs, and handle their interests, and to represent them during the days of Hajj in meeting with the heads of the pilgrim delegations and the like. This is something in which one should not take risks; because it exposes her to dangers and the violation of her sanctity. And because women are deficient in intellect and religion, as testified by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), it is not befitting to assign such a task to her, as it requires sound judgment, good management, and policy, especially in travel. Moreover, this necessitates travel and gathering with non-mahram men, and it may not be possible for her to have a mahram to accompany her on her journey, or to be with her in the gatherings where she meets with non-mahram men. Both of these are not permissible. Accordingly, the Committee sees that it is not permissible, by the Shari'ah, to appoint her to the command of Hajj, and that the command is not in accordance with her nature and the aptitude with which Allah has endowed her. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: What is the ruling on appointing a woman to the command of Hajj, where she accompanies the pilgrims during the months of Hajj?
A: It is not permissible to appoint a woman to the command of Hajj; due to the generality of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
A people will never succeed who give their leadership to a woman.
لن يفلح قوم ولو أمرهم امرأةher mixing with the pilgrims to resolve their problems, manage their affairs, and handle their interests, and to represent them during the days of Hajj in meeting with the heads of the pilgrim delegations and the like. This is something in which one should not take risks; because it exposes her to dangers and the violation of her sanctity. And because women are deficient in intellect and religion, as testified by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), it is not befitting to assign such a task to her, as it requires sound judgment, good management, and policy, especially in travel. Moreover, this necessitates travel and gathering with non-mahram men, and it may not be possible for her to have a mahram to accompany her on her journey, or to be with her in the gatherings where she meets with non-mahram men. Both of these are not permissible. Accordingly, the Committee sees that it is not permissible, by the Shari'ah, to appoint her to the command of Hajj, and that the command is not in accordance with her nature and the aptitude with which Allah has endowed her. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.