According to the Hadiths (ways of Prophet Mohammad), a single woman who is without a Mahram (guardian) should not travel for more than one day unaccompanied. For this reason, the Saudi government does not often grant visas to unaccompanied women, due to problems in the past, such as molestation and theft.

Hadith Documenting That Women Should not Travel Alone

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him*) reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to make a journey of one day and night unless she is accompanied by a Mahram [husband or any other relative to whom she is prohibited to marry]." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said, "No man must not be alone with a woman except in the presence of her (Mahram). No woman should travel except in company of a (Mahram).' A man said: "O Messenger of Allah! I have been enrolled for such and such expedition, and my wife left for Hajj.' He (PBUH) said to him, "Go and perform Hajj with your wife." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

There are several points that should be noted concerning this Hadith.

1.     The Hadith shows that a 24-hour time period is the length of time, a woman may be unaccompanied. The Hajj journey takes approximately 20 days.

2.     Hajj is not obligatory on a woman with financial problems. Hajj is not obligatory on the women who has no husband or guardian. It is also not permitted to travel with a group of women, this is an innovation – a method that is different from what Muslims believe was practiced by the Prophet Mohammad. See Hadith above by Ibn Abbas. If it was permitted for the woman to go and make hajj by herself, the Prophet (SWAS) would not instruct the husband to accompany his wife.

3.     Mahram means a person she cannot marry such as: male siblings, father, brother, nephews, son-in-law and foster-father.

4.     When a woman leaves the home she must be properly attired, so no part of her body is visible, except for her face and hands. She must not wear perfume or bring attention to herself by jingling of jewelry.

Commentary on Not Traveling to Hajj

There are two rulings on the travel for women by the knowledgeable people of Islam.

1.     Under no condition may a woman travel alone, as per the Hadith above.

2.     If the woman has reached old age, where she has no desire for men and has passed the age of marriage, she may travel if the roadway is safe and there are trustworthy companions.

The ruling is meant to protect the woman's reputation and dignity. There are some who have disease in their hearts and would take advantage of a lone woman. The woman who is alone, traveling through the desert must make many stops along the way and could be subject to theft and the desires of a rapist or another criminal. For this reason, Muslims believe it's important for the woman without a Mahram to avoid traveling alone.

The Saudi Government has made a distinction with regards to the age. Read the following.

a)     Any woman over the age of 45 is allowed to go to the Hajj with the permission of a Mahram. This means that the Mahram must write a letter and notarize it and that will be presented to the Saudi Embassy in your country for the issuing of a Hajj/Umrah Visa.

b)     Any woman under the age of 45 MUST be accompanied by a Mahram and there is no exception to the rule.