My paternal aunt inherited a large sum of money from her deceased husband. She wants to perform ‘Umrah because she has grown old. The problem is that none of her Mahrams can go with her due to a number of reasons. Is it permissible for her to perform ‘Umrah with a group of casual acquaintances, including a woman who is used to performing Hajj? Is it permissible for her brother to borrow some money from her so as to accompany her in ‘Umrah and then pay her back later?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

It is better for your aunt to be accompanied by her brother or any of her Mahrams during her journey because this complies with the original ruling. It is narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "A woman should not travel a journey of one day except with a Mahram." [Al-Bukhari]

Your aunt has to bear the expenses of the journey of the Mahram who accompanies her. Al-Buhooti, the Hanbali scholar said regarding this: "… she bears the expenses of her Mahram throughout his journey with her to perform Hajj or ‘Umrah."

Scholars held different opinions concerning a woman travelling with a trusted company of people. Maaliki and Shaafi‘i scholars held that it is permissible for obligatory journeys (i.e. Hajj) whereas other scholars viewed that it is not.