The female version of Al haj is Al hajah or Al hajjah.
Understanding the Terms
To understand the female equivalent of "Al haj," it's helpful to look at the root Arabic terms and their meanings:
- Hajj (حَجّ): This is an Arabic word meaning "pilgrimage." Specifically, it refers to the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, which is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims who are able to carry it out.
- Haji (حاجي): This term is a transliteration of an Arabic word used to describe one who has completed the Hajj to Mecca. It is traditionally used for males.
- Hajah or Hajjah (حجة): As stated in the reference, this term is the female version of haji. It is used to refer to a woman who has completed the Hajj pilgrimage.
The term "Al" in Arabic means "the". So, "Al haj" means "the haji" (referring to a male who has performed Hajj), and "Al hajah" or "Al hajjah" means "the hajah" (referring to a female who has performed Hajj).
Gendered Titles for Hajj Pilgrims
Completing the Hajj is a significant spiritual achievement in Islam, and those who perform it are often respectfully referred to by a title. These titles are gender-specific:
- For Males: Haji (حاجي) or Al Haj (الحاج)
- For Females: Hajah (حجة) or Hajjah (حجة) or Al Hajah/Al Hajjah (الحاجة)
Using the appropriate title acknowledges the completion of this important religious duty.
Examples
- A man who completed Hajj might be called "Haji Ahmed" or "Al Haj Ahmed".
- A woman who completed Hajj might be called "Hajah Fatimah" or "Al Hajah Fatimah".
Summary Table
Here is a simple breakdown of the terms:
| Term | Meaning | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Hajj | The pilgrimage to Mecca | N/A |
| Haji | One who completed Hajj | Male |
| Hajah/Hajjah | One who completed Hajj | Female |
| Al Haj | The one who completed Hajj | Male |
| Al Hajah/Al Hajjah | The one who completed Hajj | Female |
Based on the reference, the female version of haji is hajah or hajjah. Therefore, the female version of Al haj is Al hajah or Al hajjah.
