thinking about the fact that these days it is almost impossible for women to avoid unveiling and mixing with men during ‘Umraĥ, especially in Ramadan-ul-Mubārak. For this reason, I suggest that women should avoid performing ‘Umraĥ or Nafl Hajj. However, if an Islamic sister is well aware of the proper method of veiling and can fulfil its requirements and avoid mixing with men, and she can book a separate flat or room for her, then there is nothing wrong with such a woman performing ‘Umraĥ or Nafl Hajj.
Unfortunately! Most of the time these days non-Maḥram men and women reside together in the same room of rented apartments in Ḥaramayn Ṭayyibayn [i.e. Makkaĥ and Madīnaĥ]. The same happens in Minā and ‘Arafāt tents. Modest Islamic brothers and sisters who have Madanī mindset of observing Shar’ī veil face a severe test in these situations. If an Islamic sister intends to perform ‘Umraĥ or a Nafl Hajj simply for the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, then she can give the money that she would have spent on this virtuous deed to a desperate individual, severely ill patient, unemployed person, or debtor, or severely needy person instead, with the intention of acquiring spiritual reward, and thereby accumulate a priceless treasure of spiritual reward for herself and also earn the prayers of a grief-stricken heart.
Pa-ay ‘Naykī kī da’wat’ Tū jaĥān rakĥay mager ay kāsh!
Mayn khuwābaun mayn poĥanchtā ĥī raĥūn akšar Madīnay mayn
For the sake of ‘preaching good’ send me wherever You want but I wish
I visit Madīnaĥ regularly in my dreams
Question: Can you give an example of any famous pious woman who did not perform Nafl Hajj? Is there any example of female pious saint who did not come out to perform Nafl Hajj?