Q.        I performed the pilgrimage with my aged mother and my pregnant wife, concerned for their safety in the midst of the crowds I threw the pebbles for both of them; was that the right thing to do under those circumstances?  

A.        A person of old age, a person weakened by disease, a pregnant lady, are permitted to appoint someone else (their proxy) to do the throwing on his or her behalf.  The proxy should first throw his own pebbles and thereafter without leaving the place, throw the pebbles on behalf of the person whom he represents at each of the three pillars.  The proxy need not be related to the person, he must be trustworthy.  

Q.        I was surprised to find many brothers and sisters insisting on applying the sunnah of the Prophet in places and times regardless of the harm they could cause to others or to themselves, i.e. throwing the pebbles after Dhuhr each day… We all wish to imitate our beloved Prophet, pbuh, and be rewarded for our acts but what kind of reward would we get if, to throw the pebbles, we have to find our way by pushing hard the ones in front of us, and if they fall stepping over them, thus possibly killing them.  Or else we could fall and be killed.  Dealing with such large crowds, don’t you think that we should reconsider our priorities and readjust our timing?  

A.        It is preferred to throw the pebbles after Dhuhr up until Midnight, but in view of the difficulty and the crowds, the women, the aged and the sick are allowed to throw before that time.  Allah knows best.  

Q.        Is it allowed for Muslim women to slaughter her own sacrifice?  

A.        It is allowed for a woman to slaughter her sacrifice, because the Prophet, pbuh, was once asked if people could eat from a sacrifice that a women had slaughtered, and he said yes. (Bukhari)