Umrah: Rules for Women Without a Mahram
The holy rituals of Umrah are voluntary for Muslims and are regarded as a Sunnah act of worship. Whether for men or women, including those who perform Umrah without a mahram, this pilgrimage offers immense rewards from Allah Almighty. Though non-obligatory, the journey holds spiritual significance, inviting Muslims to seek closeness to their Creator.
The non-obligatory nature of Umrah rituals makes it a voluntary act of worship. Though it is one of the two holy pilgrimages of Islam, performing it is comely up to one’s personal preferences. Even if a person does not go for Umrah rituals despite having the resources for it, it’s not a sinful act. The greater rewards and religious significance of Umrah speak for the crowd of millions of pilgrims arriving for the rituals. Especially with Cheap Umrah Packages as it holds an equivalent reward of Hajj.
Men and women, both can travel to Umrah. However, the rules and regulations are gender specific. Here’s what you need to know about how women can now perform Umrah without a mahram.
Who is a Mahram?
For a woman, her male mahram is her relative with whom marriage is not halal (with the exception of her husband). For example, father, bother, son, nephew, grandfather, etc. Traveling with a male Mahram is a recommended act for a Muslim woman in Islam.
Necessity of Mahram
Men can travel alone for Umrah rituals alone if they are above the age of 18 years. They don’t need a mahram along. However, women traveling for Umrah, whether 18 years or older, require the company of a male Mahram. This is the necessary condition for a woman traveling to KSA. In fact, it is among the fundamental requirements of the Umrah visa application form. A woman must travel with a male mahram and also submit proof of her mahram relationship with him. Otherwise, the visa will get rejected let alone performing the holy rituals in KSA.
That’s why all of the women booking Umrah 2025 Packages UK needed a male mahram for the holy trip. Note that in order to travel for Umrah, her male mahram should also be at least 18 years of age or above.
Previous Rules
Before September 2019, traveling with a male Mahram for a woman was essential. No Muslim woman was allowed to enter KSA without accompanying a male Mahram for Umrah rituals. Therefore, any woman intending for the holy rituals was bound to travel with a mahram. Regardless of wherever you are coming from, or what your nationality is – it was a necessary condition to fulfill.
Any woman failing the submit valid proof of her mahram relation at the time of visa application was rejected. Similarly, a woman arriving in KSA without a mahram despite submitting it in a visa application was denied entry to the Kingdom. This rule persisted in Saudia Arabia for quite a long time.
Saudi Vision 2030 Plan
In late September 2019, Saudia Arabia introduced its ‘Saudi Vision 2030 plan’. The core focus of this plan was to boost the economy of the region through tourism, infrastructure development, and relaxed policies for foreign travelers. Therefore, reducing the country’s dependence on oil production for its economic growth. As a result, policies regarding Hajj and Umrah were also revised with significant changes. One of the amendments in the pilgrimage travel policies was the abolishment of the mahram requirement for women.
Now, all of the Muslim women traveling to KSA for Umrah rituals don’t necessarily need a male mahram. The requirement of submitting valid proof for a relationship with a male mahram also no longer exists. As of now, Muslim women applying for Umrah visa from across the globe can opt for the pilgrimage by themselves. No need to worry about accompanying a male mahram.
In fact, women also don’t need to obtain a specific visa with Full Ramadan Umrah Packages. They can perform the holy rituals on their existing visa to the kingdom as well i.e. work, tourist, or family visa. All they need to do for the holy rituals is obtain an ‘Umrah permit’ through the Nusuk app. Once issued, you can enter Haram and perform the holy rituals.
Tips for women arriving for Umrah rituals without a mahram.
Female pilgrims traveling along for holy rituals must get hotel accommodation in close proximity to Haram. It not only ensures ease of access and convenience but also personal safety. You won’t need to travel long hours in taxis with strangers to reach Haram from your hotel. Ideally, getting your room booked in a hotel that is at a walking distance from Haram remains advised.
As a solo female traveler, you must know of the nearby health facilities, police stations, and other relevant authorities. To make sure that you have a safe and healthy pilgrimage, report to the authorities in case of any emergency.
Hire the professional services of a credible Umrah travel agency. Book Umrah Packages 2025 UK with an all-inclusive option. So that professionals can look after your logistical aspects while you focus on the pilgrimage.
In short, Muslim women can now travel alone for Umrah rituals. They no longer need to accompany a male Mahram to enter Makkah for the pilgrimage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, women in Saudi Arabia can go out alone. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has introduced reforms that have expanded women’s freedoms, including the ability to travel, work, and move independently without needing a male guardian. Women can now go out in public, attend events, and engage in daily activities on their own. Additionally, Saudi women over the age of 21 can obtain passports and travel internationally without a male guardian’s approval.
In traditional Islamic jurisprudence, it is generally not permissible for a woman to travel without a mahram, regardless of the purpose of the journey, including for acts of worship such as Hajj. This ruling is based on hadiths emphasizing the importance of safety and protection for women during travel.
No, you no longer need a mahram to perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia. In 2023, Saudi Arabia lifted the requirement for women to be accompanied by a mahram for Umrah and Hajj. Now, women can travel with close female companions, such as their mother, sister, or aunt, making it easier for women to perform these acts of worship independently.
