Q 1: Is it permissible to throw pebbles (as one of the Hajj rituals) at the present time on behalf of women on account of the huge crowd?

A: Allah (Exalted be He) said: Allâh intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. He (Exalted be He) also said: Allâh does not want to place you in difficulty Thus, the two Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) mentioned above as well as other Ayahs of similar meanings indicate that difficulty and hardship have nothing to do with Shari`ah. In fact, women are of many statuses. There are pregnant, too weighty, slim, sick, disabled, old as well as strong women. A woman who has one of the excuses mentioned (Part No. 11; Page No. 284) above or anything like it, may unobjectionably deputize others. However, her permission has to be sought before throwing pebbles on her behalf. Thus, the deputy should first throw pebbles on his own behalf then on her behalf. However, strong women may also deputize others, in the same manner mentioned above, i.e., the deputy throwing on behalf of himself first and then on her behalf, if there is non-conventional difficulty. Moreover, the person throwing pebbles on behalf of others has to be a pilgrim performing Hajj.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.