The Forgotten Women of Hajj: Their Stories and Spiritual Power
Introduction
Islamic history is rich with examples of women whose faith and courage shaped the Muslim community. From the earliest days, women have played key roles in supporting the Prophet ﷺ, preserving the faith, and undertaking the pilgrimage. The story of Hajj itself – a journey of complete trust in God – is deeply marked by women’s experiences and sacrifices. This article highlights the spiritual resilience and empowerment of women connected to Hajj, honoring figures from the past and sharing modern reflections. By exploring their stories, we see how the women in Hajj embody perseverance, faith, and leadership on their spiritual journey in Islam.
Hajar: The Matriarch of Sacrifice
One of the most powerful models of female strength in Islamic tradition is Hajar (Hagar), the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and mother of Isma’il (Ishmael), Abraham left Hajar and her infant son in the barren valley that would become Makkah purely by divine command. Instead of despair, Hajar demonstrated complete trust in Allah. When their water ran out, she ran between the hills of Safa and Marwah seeking help, she finally heard angel Jibril call out, and a miraculous spring – the well of Zamzam – gushed forth, providing life-saving water.
Women in Early Hajj History
Throughout Islamic history, female devotees and scholars have participated in Hajj and contributed to its traditions. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself set the example: his wife ʿĀ’ishah (RA), for instance, performed both Hajj and ʿUmrah during the Farewell Pilgrimage, even receiving specific guidance from the Prophet on how to manage the rites while menstruating.
Early Muslim historians record that women like Fatima bint Abu Bakr (the Prophet’s sister) and Asma bint Umays (wife of Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq) were respected teachers of Islamic law and pilgrimage etiquette in Medina and Mecca.
By the second and third centuries of Islam, centers of learning in places like Medina and Córdoba were led or attended by women scholars. Fatima al-Fihri (d. 880 CE), who built the Qarawiyyin University in Morocco, enabled future generations of both men and women to study the faith. In Baghdad and Damascus, respected female muhaddithat (hadith scholars) taught thousands of students. Although early records of female pilgrims are sparse, it is clear that women often joined caravans or traveled with family.
The 9th-century Andalusian female poet Lubna (d. 976 CE) described accompanying her brother on pilgrimage, highlighting a tradition of women seeking knowledge and spiritual fulfillment together. These pioneers are part of Islamic history’s fabric – their names may be lesser-known, but they inspire the ideal of women as active participants in the faith and the Hajj. For every male scholar or pilgrim, there were women who upheld Islam at home and abroad, ensuring that the spiritual journey of Hajj remained inclusive.
The Modern Female Pilgrim
Today, millions of Muslim women undertake Hajj under vastly different circumstances than centuries ago. Modern travel and progressive policies have opened new possibilities. In 2023, Saudi Arabia eliminated its decades-old rule requiring a mahram (male guardian) for women pilgrims.
This historic change allows single women over a certain age to register for Hajj or ʿUmrah in reliable female-only groups, reflecting broader social shifts toward women’s mobility. The result is striking: nearly half of pilgrims are now women – about 47–48% of international Hajj attendees in recent years – and women’s applications have surged in countries like Pakistan (doubling from ~3,000 in 2024 to over 6,000 in 2025)
At the same time, resources for female pilgrims have improved. Airlines, travel agencies, and mosques offer women-only Hajj packages and support services. During the pilgrimage, dedicated women’s tents and prayer areas are common in Mina and Arafat, and female tour guides and scholars often lead discussions on Hajj rites.
Key points for today’s female pilgrim include:
- Legal and safety changes: Single women can now travel without a male guardian in many countries. Saudi policy now allows women of any age to go without a mahram.
- Support networks: Female pilgrims increasingly use women-only travel groups, which offer chaperones, female-led tours, and peer support. Around the world, mosques and community centers run Hajj orientation classes specifically for women, covering both rituals and practical tips.
- Equal participation: Today’s statistics show nearly equal gender participation, Pilgrims come from diverse cultures.
- Evolving social norms: Younger generations view Hajj not only as obligatory worship but as a form of empowerment. Many women now speak openly of achieving personal growth and confidence through the pilgrimage, breaking past taboos about travel.
Conclusion:
In the end, the history of women in Hajj is a legacy of courage. Every time a mother prays for her children at Arafat, or a wife makes tawāf in hopeful supplication, they echo the footsteps of those early women. By honoring them in word and deed, future generations of Muslim women can be empowered to embark on their own spiritual journeys with the same confidence and love of God that defined the pioneers of Islam.
Hajj is fundamentally an inclusive, unifying pilgrimage – it belongs equally to men and women, rich and poor, from every corner of the globe. From Hajar’s lone vigil in the desert to the modern scene of millions circling the Ka‘bah, women have been at the heart of its story.
In celebrating women’s contributions to Hajj, we affirm that every pilgrim’s spiritual journey is empowered by the strength of those who came before.
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