Ẓāĥir-ur-Riwāyaĥ [see its meaning on the next page]. In fact, even if a woman can afford to perform Hajj but is not accompanied by her husband or a reliable Maḥram man, then she cannot perform Hajj. If she does then she will be sinner, even though her Farḍ Hajj will be fulfilled. Latter jurists have prohibited a woman from travelling a distance of even one day without a Maḥram man.

(Derived from: Rad-dul-Muḥtār, vol. 3, pp. 533 etc.)

Page 752, volume one of Baĥār-e-Sharī’at published by Maktaba-tul-Madīnaĥ states: It is prohibited for a woman to travel a journey of three days or more without a Maḥram man. In fact, a one day journey is also prohibited. She cannot travel even with a non-pubescent child or a Ma’tuwĥ (this will be defined shortly). She must be accompanied by a pubescent male or her husband. (‘Ālamgīrī, vol. 1,  pp. 142; Fatāwā Razawiyyaĥ referenced, vol. 10, pp. 657) The Maḥram man must not be a major sinner, audacious and unsafe.

Question: What is meant by a ‘three-day journey’?

Answer: A three-day land journey means 57.5 miles. (Fatāwā Razawiyyaĥ referenced, vol. 8, pp. 270) This is almost 92km.

Question: You previously mentioned the term, ‘Ẓāĥir-ur-Riwāyaĥ’, what does this mean?

Answer: In Ḥanafī Fiqĥ, ‘Ẓāĥir-ur-Riwāyaĥ’ are those rulings which are narrated in these six books by Sayyidunā Imām Muhammad  Bin Ḥasan Shaybānī قُـدِّسَ سِـرُّہُ الـرَّبَّـانِی: (1) Jāmi’ Ṣaghīr (2) Jāmi’ Kabīr    (3) Siyar Kabīr (4) Siyar Ṣaghīr (5) Ziyādāt (6) Mabsūṭ.

Question: With reference to Baĥār-e-Sharī’at, you mentioned a Ma’tuwĥ, who is this?