Can Women Umrah Independent Without Mahram? This Is The Legal Explanation And Rules

YOGYAKARTA - Can independent Umrah women be a question often asked by Muslims. Along with the increasing number of women who want to be independent in worship, this topic is increasingly relevant to discuss.

In addition, the latest policies from the governments of Saudi Arabia and Indonesia provide wider space for women to perform Umrah independently. The following will be discussed the views of scholars from various schools regarding the law of independent Umrah women without mahram.

In Islam, mahram is a man who is forbidden to marry because of blood, marriage, or sexual relations, such as father, uncle, brother, and brother-in-law. In the past, most scholars required mahram when women traveled long distances.

This is based on the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad SAW which mentions a prohibition for women traveling without a mahram for one day and one night.

'It is not halal for a woman who believes in Allah and the last day to travel one day one night except with her mahram.' (HR. Bukhari and Muslim)

But seeing the times, the scholars have different views. Ulama from the Hanafi and Hambali schools still prohibit women from traveling far without a mahram, including for Umrah. Meanwhile, the Syafi'i and Maliki schools allowed women to leave if their journey was safe and accompanied by a trusted group of women.

Given that the majority of Indonesians follow the Syafi'i mazhab, there is leniency. The Indonesian Ministry of Religion through the 2015 Mudzakrarah Perhajian Indonesia stated that women may perform Umrah without a mahram as long as security is guaranteed and departs through the official bureau.

The rules are, for women under 45 years of age, mahram permits are still needed. As for those over 45 years of age, simply with personal documents and joining the official group.

The government of Saudi Arabia since 2022 has removed mahram requirements for applying for Umrah and Hajj visas. Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah confirmed that women can now apply for their own visas while departing through the official bureau.

Many Umrah travel have also provided special packages for women without mahram, complete with female guides and strict supervision. In addition, the Indonesian government is now enacting Law Number 14 of 2025 concerning the Implementation of Hajj and Umrah, which regulates the independent Umrah program.

With this rule, pilgrims can regulate their own worship trips without having to go through official organizers. This program is a new alternative for Muslims, including women, who want to worship more flexibly and independently.

Secretary of the MUI Fatwa Commission, KH Miftahul Huda explained that the ban on traveling without mahram in the past was caused by security factors and potential slander. In the past, long-distance travel was very risky and prone to crime.

"Why did the first hadiths to be used as hujah or argument not allow women to travel alone to remote places, the scholars concluded that God willing or because women are prohibited or women are not allowed to travel to remote places alone without being accompanied by a mahram, that's the first because of security factors," he explained, quoted from Kompas.

However, the current conditions have changed with modern transportation, airport security, and strict surveillance in public places.

"Now in every crowded place there are already officers or officers guarding it," he added.

With the increasing security guarantees and comfortable means of transportation, some scholars allow women to travel far without mahram. As long as security is guaranteed and the intention is for worship, there will be no obstacles to syar'i to carry out Umrah independently.

Thus, it can be concluded that women are allowed to perform independent Umrah without a mahram as long as security is guaranteed, follow official rules, and maintain adab on trips. Islam does not complicate worship, but emphasizes aspects of security and self-respect.