For sisters
Can a woman perform Umrah without a mahram in the Hanafi school?
In the Hanafi school a woman travels for Umrah with her husband or a mahram. Saudi rules now allow women to travel in groups without one, but that does not change the ruling of the school, so speak to a scholar about your own situation before you book.
The Hanafi position
In the Hanafi school a woman travels for Umrah with her husband or a mahram.
Saudi rules
Saudi rules now allow women to travel in groups without one, but that does not change the ruling of the school.
Before you book
Speak to a scholar about your own situation before you book. See Umrah for women and the Umrah checklist.
More questions
Is the ruling different in other schools?
Rulings can differ in other schools. This guide follows the Hanafi school.
Who is a mahram?
Ask a qualified scholar to confirm who counts as your mahram.
Does the visa rule change the ruling?
No. Saudi rules do not change the ruling of the school.
Read the full guide
Perform your Umrah with confidence
Follow every rite in order, with counters and duas in Arabic, in our step by step Umrah guide. To study the Hanafi rulings behind it with qualified teachers, see our courses, or explore our apps. Ihya us Sunnah is sustained by its community, so please consider supporting our work.
This guide follows the Hanafi method and is based on Shaykh Mufti Wajid Iqbal's Umrah book, Essential Islam. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar.