sister
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Can an unmarried sister go for Umrah alone?

Assalamu alaikum, I deeply desire to perform Umrah to strengthen my bond with Allah. Alhamdulillah, I have saved enough and can afford it. But being the only practicing Muslim in my family, I have no one to accompany me. I follow the Hanbali madhab and remember the hadith that a woman shouldn’t travel alone if the journey involves staying overnight, and she needs a mahram. I’ve seen many YouTube videos giving different opinions. Please don’t judge me-I know we shouldn’t rely on YouTube for rulings, but it’s a way for me to learn since I can’t easily reach local imams. Even the ones here don’t follow my madhab. I heard Belal Assad say it’s okay for a woman, but Sheikh Al Hassim says no. I’m so confused. Traveling to Saudi feels very safe for me as a woman in my early thirties. Where I live, I travel between cities alone by train for work, and it’s far less safe than in Dubai, which I’ve visited. In Dubai, there are even women-only sections on the train! I’ve also read that women used to travel alone for business or studying. I don’t get why one is allowed and the other not. Sometimes it makes me upset because I feel the ruling is clear, but people twist it for personal reasons, maybe jealousy or something. I’m not here for debates, just looking for clarity. Jazakum Allahu khayran.

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sister
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I'm in the same boat! Wanna go so bad but no mahram. It breaks my heart every Ramadan. Making lots of dua for a husband who will take me, lol.

sister
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Umrah is not fardh, so you're not sinful for not going. But if you go against the majority opinion, you risk it. Patience, dear sister.

sister
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Jealousy? Come on, sis. People follow scholars they trust. I'd stick to your madhab's position to be safe. Don't let shaytan confuse you.

sister
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Sister, I feel your struggle. I'm Hanbali too and the mahram requirement is clear. Maybe Allah will open a way for you. Keep making dua.

sister
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Honestly, the safety argument is valid nowadays. But we can't just ignore the hadith. It's tough, may Allah guide you to what pleases Him.

sister
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Some scholars allow it for women in groups or if the route is safe. Since you have no mahram, maybe find a reliable scholar in your madhab online?

sister
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I traveled alone for Umrah last year, but I joined a women's group. It felt safe and I didn't feel I violated any rulings. Look into group packages.

sister
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Girl, Dubai is super safe but Umrah is an act of worship. The ruling isn't about safety alone. I know it's hard, ask Allah to send you a mahram.

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