Question: Is a mahram required for a woman’s Hajj?

Answer: According to these two jurists, if her safety (life and honor) is secured, the presence of a mahram is not a condition for obligation. Therefore, if the journey is safe (such as traveling with a secure group), Hajj is obligatory even without a mahram.

Question: If someone pays all my Hajj expenses, does it become obligatory?

Answer: Yes. If a person covers all necessary expenses (travel, accommodation, required costs, and your family’s needs during your absence) and there is no other obstacle, you become financially able through that gift, and Hajj becomes obligatory upon you.

Question: Suppose I was not truly financially able but went using borrowed money—what is the ruling?

Answer: The Hajj is valid and rewarded. However, if you were not genuinely financially able, it does not count as your obligatory Hajj (Hajjat al-Islam). If you later become financially able, you must perform Hajj again.

Question: If I can take a loan, does that make me financially able?

Answer: The mere ability to borrow money does not create financial ability. Hajj becomes obligatory only if repaying the loan will not cause undue hardship and you truly have the means to repay it comfortably.

Question: What if I am elderly or ill?

Answer: If you are physically able to perform the rituals yourself—even with normal assistance such as a wheelchair or helper—Hajj is obligatory. However, if you have a permanent illness or disability with no hope of recovery and cannot perform the rituals, Hajj is not obligatory. If Hajj had already become obligatory in the past and you delayed it, you must appoint a proxy (na’ib).

Question: When am I considered financially able, such that Hajj becomes obligatory?

Answer: You must be able to afford travel expenses (round trip), accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, the cost of sacrifice, and other necessary Hajj expenses. In addition, your family’s living expenses during your absence must be secured. After returning, your normal life should not fall into hardship. If going to Hajj would cause serious financial difficulty, you are not considered financially able

Hillary Clinton has slammed Donald Trump for orchestrating a “cover-up” over the Jeffrey Epstein files, demanding full public disclosure, saying Republicans have been manipulating the scandal to shield the US president while targeting political opponents.

The former US secretary of state told the BBC in Berlin that the Trump administration is deliberately withholding information related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

“Get the files out. They are slow-walking it,” Clinton said in her interview published Monday, denouncing Trump for suppressing transparency.

The Justice Department recently released more than three million documents, photos and videos tied to its investigation into Epstein, who died in custody in 2019 in what authorities ruled a suicide.

Despite this release, the Department of Justice claims it has no additional files to publish, a stance lawmakers have criticized, noting the absence of internal memos, notes and emails.

Clinton and her husband, former president Bill Clinton, are scheduled to give closed-door depositions before the House Oversight Committee, which is examining Epstein’s ties to powerful elites and the handling of information about his crimes.

Clinton objected to the secrecy of the process, stressing, “We will show up but we think it would be better to have it in public.”

“I just want it to be fair. I want everybody treated the same way,” she added, emphasizing that “we have nothing to hide. We have called for the full release of these files repeatedly.”

The Clintons' names have also appeared frequently in the files. Bill Clinton has acknowledged flying on Epstein’s plane in the early 2000s for humanitarian work connected to the Clinton Foundation but denies visiting Epstein’s private island.

Hillary Clinton has claimed that she had no meaningful interactions with Epstein, never flew on his plane and never visited his island, though she admitted meeting Ghislaine Maxwell — later convicted of conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse minors — “on a few occasions.”

Hillary Clinton also lashed out at Republicans for attempting to redirect scrutiny away from Trump, whose name also appears multiple times in the files, saying, “Look at this shiny object. We're going to have the Clintons, even Hillary Clinton, who never met the guy.”

Trump has so far rejected the allegations, declaring he had been “totally exonerated,” while insisting that mere mention in the files does not prove wrongdoing.

Hillary Clinton is set to testify on February 26, followed by Bill Clinton on February 27.

Press TV’s website

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution has responded to repeated US military threats against Iran, saying that the weapons that can sink the American carriers are "more dangerous" than the warships.  

“The American president [Donald Trump] repeatedly says that their military is the strongest in the world. The strongest military in the world, however, can sometimes be struck so hard that it cannot even get back on its feet,” Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday while addressing thousands of people from East Azarbaijan Province.

“They keep saying, ‘We have sent an aircraft carrier toward Iran.’ Fine—an aircraft carrier is certainly a dangerous piece of equipment. But more dangerous than the carrier is the weapon capable of sending it to the bottom of the sea,” he added.

Press TV’s website

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has praised the Iranian people for a massive nationwide turnout during the Islamic Revolution anniversary rallies, saying the demonstrations left the enemies disappointed.

“On 22 Bahman (February 11) this year, you accomplished a great deed; you brought honor to Iran,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a televised message delivered Thursday evening.

"As always, by supporting the Islamic Republic you increased its strength, and the enemies who, in their statements and plans, sought the surrender of the Iranian nation became disappointed," he added.

He described the reward of this great public movement as greater dignity, stronger authority, and fuller independence for Iran, adding: “Let us all strive to preserve this connection and national cohesion, which is very valuable and precious.”

Ayatollah Khamenei praised the people’s presence in the streets and their unified slogans, saying they demonstrated their identity and character to adversaries.

"I thank the entire Iranian nation and extend my abundant greetings to each and every person present at this great, million-strong gathering across the country,” the Leader said.

Tens of millions of Iranians poured into the streets across the country on Wednesday, marking the 47th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution with one of the largest nationwide turnouts in recent years. 

From Tehran to more than 1,400 cities, towns and villages, vast crowds gathered despite forecasts of rain and snow, presenting a sweeping display of unity following months of military confrontation, riots and intensified foreign pressure.

The 2026 anniversary came in the aftermath of a 12-day imposed war in June 2025, during which Israel, backed by the United States, launched attacks against Iranian interests. 

The war ended at the desperate entreaties of the aggressor and was followed by attempts to maintain a “no war, no peace” environment aimed at obstructing Iran’s progress through the activation of sanctions mechanisms, intensified economic pressure and a cognitive or media war as part of broader efforts to weaken the country.

Tensions further escalated in January 2026, when armed incidents by trained agents linked to Israel’s Mossad and the US CIA engaged in acts of terrorism and anti-human takfiri violence. 

While segments of the public had legitimate economic grievances, the population quickly distanced itself from violent actions once foreign involvement became apparent.

Against this backdrop, the anniversary rallies this year were both a commemoration and a response.

Press TV’s website 

Qur’an – Surah Luqman (31:14)

أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيْكَ ۖ إِلَيَّ الْمَصِيرُ

Translation:

Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the final return.

Explanation:

The Qur’an places gratitude to parents immediately after gratitude to God. This highlights that honoring parents is part of faith itself. True gratitude is not limited to words; it is expressed through service, attention, respect, and care. Even simple acts, such as spending time with them or checking on their well-being, can fulfill this command in practical ways.