Muslim Females On The Flotilla

QUESTION:

Please provide an Islamic perspective on the Sumud Flotilla that embarked to Palestine. Although it appears that it was based on commendable intentions, what can be said about the fact that we were incurring the wrath of Allah Ta’ala by having Muslim females on the flotilla without their Mahram, and were among other Ghair-Mahram men?

ANSWER:

Whilst the Flotilla was a good initiative with benevolent intentions to stand in solidarity with the Muslims of Palestine, it is imperative to understand that the assistance of Allah Ta’ala is achieved by fulfilling His commands and abstaining from His prohibitions.

When Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam feared the enemy at Badr, he turned his attention to Allah Ta’ala, placed his Mubaarak head in Sajdah, and cried before Allah Ta’ala to the extent that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu had to stop him and console him. The result of such begging and beseeching from Allah Ta’ala, resulted in angels descending from the heavens and fighting the Kuffaar on the battlefield. Have we cried before Allah Ta’ala in Sajdah? Have we fasted for the Muslims of Palestine? Have we discharged Sadaqah? Have we made Khatm of the Quraan Sharif and begged Allah Ta’ala to assist the Muslims of Palestine and the Mujaahideen? Are we present daily for the Fajr Salaah when Qunoot is being recited? Have we reformed our lives and given up the lifestyle of the Kuffaar? We have perhaps forsaken all these avenues of seeking the help and assistance of Allah Ta’ala, yet we are prepared to display to the world that we stand in solidarity with the Palestinians.

In conclusion, there were numerous commands of Allah Ta’ala that were trampled upon in this mission such as:

1. Women travelled without a Mahram. It is impermissible for a woman to traverse the distance of Safar without a Mahram. She cannot even go for a Hajj if she does not have a Mahram.

2. Many females participated in this mission whilst dressed inappropriately. This is in direct conflict with the injunction of the Quraan Sharif which states,

وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَىٰ

الأحزاب آ(33)

“Remain in your homes and do not make a display of yourselves as was the practice of (women during) the former period of ignorance (during the period before Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam came to the people, when women walked about without adequately covering their bodies).

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani

Date: 08 Jumaadal-Ulaa 1447 / 30 October 2025

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb