Women, menstruation and mahram
If a woman's husband dies while she is on her way to perform Hajj, must she return home or may she continue with Hajj?
Answer in brief
A woman observing the iddah period after her husband's death is in principle not permitted to perform Hajj, since this requires travelling and leaving her home. If she is already on the Hajj journey or has reached the Haram, she is permitted to continue, because the hardship of returning may be greater. Throughout this period she must observe the etiquette and restrictions of mourning (ihdad) as far as she can, such as limiting herself to the obligatory acts and pillars of Hajj, avoiding adornment and not going out shopping. If her husband dies before she sets out, or just after she departs and before she has left the built-up area, she must return home and complete her iddah.
Summary written by DHUMY from the Malay original and checked against it.
Namun, sekiranya wanita tersebut sudah berada dalam perjalanan haji atau sudah tiba di Tanah Haram, maka dia dibenarkan untuk meneruskan ibadah haji.
Source
IRSYAD HUKUM KHAS HAJI DAN KORBAN SIRI KE-83: WANITA KEMATIAN SUAMI SEMASA MELAKUKAN HAJI, ADAKAH WAJIB PULANG?Office of the Mufti of the Federal Territories · Irsyad al-Fatwa: Hajj & Sacrifice edition · Published 30 May 2024
This page summarises a published fatwa; it is not a new ruling. For your own situation, read the full fatwa or consult the mufti office of your state.
Other questions on this topic
- What is the ruling on blood that appears after a woman has been confirmed menopausal while she is performing Hajj?
- Is a woman allowed to wear a niqab while performing a voluntary tawaf?
- Does a woman who wears gold rings and bracelets excessively during Hajj and Umrah affect the validity of her worship?
- If a woman is menstruating on the Day of Arafah, may she make up the voluntary Arafah fast to gain its reward and virtue?
- What is the ruling if a woman gets her period on the Day of Arafah during Hajj, and what should she do?
- Can a woman perform umrah without a mahram, especially for her first umrah?