المملكة العربية السعودية now allows women 45+ to perform الحج without a mahram in organized groups; rules vary by country and school of jurisprudence — check your country's current regulations.
The classical Islamic position, based on hadith, is that a woman should not travel the distance requiring shortening الصلوات without a mahram — a male relative she cannot marry. This includes her father, brother, son, husband, uncle, nephew, or grandfather. النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'No woman should travel except with a mahram.' However, scholars have differed on whether this applies specifically to الحج when it becomes واجب.
المملكة العربية السعودية has progressively relaxed its administrative requirements. Women aged 45 and above can now perform الحج without a mahram if they travel as part of an organized group with other women. Some countries have further relaxed these requirements, allowing women of any adult age to apply for الحج without a mahram, provided they travel with a licensed group.
Among the four schools of jurisprudence, the Shafi'i and Maliki schools allow a woman to perform the واجب الحج without a mahram if she travels with a trustworthy group of women or trustworthy companions, particularly when the obligation of الحج would otherwise go unfulfilled. The Hanafi and Hanbali schools traditionally require a mahram for any journey of this nature. Women should consult their local الحج authority for the most current rules in their country.
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'No woman should travel except with a mahram, and no man should enter upon a woman unless she has a mahram with her.'
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'No woman should travel except with a mahram, and no man should enter upon a woman unless she has a mahram with her.'
Source: الإمام النووي, Al-Majmu; ابن قدامة, Al-Mughni
النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'No woman should travel except with a mahram, and no man should enter upon a woman unless she has a mahram with her.'
Sahih al-Bukhari #3006 (sahih)