Praying next to women in the Makkah Haram during the crowds

Question:
I say: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. In the Makkah Haram, it sometimes happens that women line up next to men because of the heavy crowds. In this case, should I pray, or should I go to another place away from the women, even if I miss the prayer?

Answer:
The Sacred Mosque during the time of Hajj and the time of bathing is a dire necessity, so there is nothing wrong with it. You should pray, and praise be to Allah. Even if there are women in the row, this is a dire necessity and an exceptional situation, so there is nothing wrong with it. If you can move away from the women without missing any part of the prayer, try to do so. But if you would not miss the prayer, or if there is no place available—the Haram is crowded and this is the only place—pray, and the presence of women is excused due to the dire necessity.