Shaved armpits whilst in state of Ihram Q- A man entered the state of Ihram for Umrah, and after that he remembered that it is obligatory to shave the armpits, so he began to shave them whilst in the state of Ihram. Then he proceeded for the Umrah. A – Shaving the armpits or plucking (hair) is not obligatory to enter the state of Ihram. Rather, it is recommended to pluck the hair or remove them with something clean before entering the state of Ihram, as it is recommended to trim the moustache and nails and shave the pubic hair if required (i.e. if they have sufficiently grown and need to be trimmed or cut). It is not imperative that this be done once having entered the state of Ihram, rather it suffices if he does so before entering the state of Ihram at home or on the way. And there is nothing required of the one who remembers to shave his armpits, since he is ignorant of the Shariah ruling (regarding this). And similarly, for the one who has entered the state of Ihram then forgetfully does any of what we have mentioned as Allah says: “Our Lord, do not take us to account for that which we do forgetfully or mistakenly.” (Qur'an, 2:286) It has been confirmed on the authority of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that Allah has responded to this supplication. Sheikh Bin Baz, Fatawa Volume 6, Page 96, Fatwa No.48 No Mahram Q – A woman well-known for her piety, in her middle ages or close to old age, wants to perform Haj. However, she does not have a Mahram. From the same country there is a man who is well-known for his piety who wants to make Haj and he is traveling with women whom he is related to. Is it proper for that woman to make Haj with this man and the women he is travelling with, being among the women with the man looking after them? A – The woman who does not have a Mahram is not obligated to perform Haj. This is because a Mahram, with respect to her, is part of the necessary conditions of having the capability to perform the Haj. Having the capability is one of the conditions that may for the obligatory nature of Haj. Allah says: “And Haj to the House is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses.” (Qur'an, 3:97) It is not allowed for her to travel for Haj or otherwise without her husband or a Mahram. This is based on what Al-Bukhari recorded that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “It is not allowed for a woman to travel a day and night's distance except with a Mahram.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim), also ported from Ibn ‘Abbas that he heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say: “A man cannot be alone with a woman unless in the presence of a Mahram of hers. And a woman does not travel except along with a Mahram.” A man said: “O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) my wife has left to make the Haj and I have enlisted for such and such expedition.” He (peace be upon him) said: “Go and make Haj with your wife.” This is the opinion of Al-Hasan, Al-Nakha'ee, Ahmad, Ishaq, Ibn Al-Mundhir and the scholars of juristic reasoning (Ashab Ar-Ra'ee). It is the correct opinion because it is in agreement with the generality of the Hadeeth of the Prophet that prohibits women from traveling without a husband or Mahram. Malik, Al-Shafi'ee and Al-Awza'i have a differing opinion. They all state conditions for which they have no evidence. Ibn Al-Mundhir stated: “They all abandon the clear, obvious meaning of the Hadith and lay down conditions for which they have no evidence. The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Verdicts; Fatawa relating to women __
