In the Ṣaḥīḥ and other collections it is stated: “A woman is not permitted to travel the distance of a day and a night unless a maḥram (an unmarriageable male guardian) is with her.”

These and related Prophetic texts unequivocally forbid a woman to undertake any journey—whether for ḥajj or for any other purpose—without a maḥram accompanying her. The reason is to block every avenue that could lead to corruption or temptation, either on her part or directed toward her.

Imām Aḥmad (d. 241 AH) said: “The maḥram must be from her own lineage. If a woman has no such maḥram, ḥajj is not binding on her—neither personally nor by proxy.”

A woman’s maḥram is her husband or any man whom she is permanently forbidden to marry by blood ties—such as her brother, father, paternal uncle, nephew, or maternal uncle—or one to whom marriage is forbidden for another lawful reason, such as fosterage, or affinity, like her step-father or stepson. Muslim reports: “It is not lawful for a woman who believes in Allah to travel unless her father, her son, her husband, or a maḥram is with her.”

The expenses of the maḥram on the journey are borne by the woman herself. Accordingly, for ḥajj to become obligatory she must possess enough to cover both her own costs and those of her maḥram for the outward and return trip.

If a woman had a maḥram but delayed until he was no longer available while she still had the financial means, she must wait until another maḥram becomes available. If she loses hope of finding one, she may appoint someone to perform the pilgrimage on her behalf.