Can a woman perform হজ্জ without a mahram if she travels with a trustworthy group?

This is a matter of significant scholarly discussion. নবী করীম (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া সাল্লাম) stated clearly that no woman should travel without a mahram, and this is the basis for the Hanafi and Hanbali position that a mahram is an absolute condition for a woman's obligation of হজ্জ. If a woman has no mahram willing and able to travel with her, হজ্জ is not ওয়াজিব upon her according to these schools.

Sheikh Ibn Baz and Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen both held the position that a mahram is required for a woman traveling for হজ্জ, and that without a mahram, the obligation of হজ্জ does not apply to her. If she dies without having performed হজ্জ due to the absence of a mahram, she is not sinful. They considered the mahram to be part of the conditions of istitaa'ah (ability) for women.

However, the Shafi'i and Maliki schools hold a different position. They permit a woman to travel for ওয়াজিব হজ্জ with a group of trustworthy women, even without a mahram, provided that safety is ensured. Imam al-Nawawi reported the Shafi'i position that a mahram is not a condition for the obligation of হজ্জ if the woman can travel safely with trustworthy companions. The Saudi Ministry of হজ্জ now permits women aged 45 and above to perform হজ্জ without a mahram if traveling with an organized group.