Women going for Umrah without Mahram

Question:

Can a hanafi lady aged 65  join a group of shafi women going for umrah.

The lady in question will not be accompanied by her mahram.

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

It is not permissible for a woman to travel the distance of safar – approximately 48m or 78km – without a mahram (unmarriageable kin).

Rasulullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said,

«لا يحل لامرأة، تؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر، تسافر مسيرة ثلاث ليال، إلا ومعها ذو محرم»

“It is prohibited for a woman who believes in Allah and the Day of Judgement to travel a distance of three nights unless with a mahram”[1]

The ruling for a woman to travel with a mahram is to safeguard her and also assist her during travels. Travelling nowadays has become even more challenging for Muslims. Therefore, it would not be permissible for her to go for ‘Umrah without a mahram.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

[1] صحيح مسلم ١٣٣٨