Hajah

Hajah is a feminine honorific used in various Muslim communities to denote that a woman has completed the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. It is the gender counterpart to Hajji, the title given to men who have completed the pilgrimage. The term derives from Arabic ḥājjah, the feminine form of ḥājj, meaning one who performs the Hajj. In practice, Hajah is typically used as a prefix before a woman’s given name, especially in Malay and Indonesian contexts (for example, Hajah Siti Rahmah). Spelling varies: Hajah, Hajjah, Hajja, or Haja are encountered, reflecting transliteration differences from Arabic.

Usage of the title signals an achievement within the Muslim community but is not a formal religious rank. Some communities apply it only to those who have completed the Hajj in accordance with tradition, while others use it as a lifelong honorific similar to “Mrs.” or “Ms.” in addressing women. The form and frequency of usage differ by country and culture: in Indonesia and Malaysia, Hajah is common and widely recognized; in many Arabic-speaking contexts, the equivalent usage is less common in everyday speech.

Notes on usage emphasize respect for individual preference, as some women choose not to use the title in certain settings. See also Hajj, Hajji, Hajjah.