Q: I am a single woman aged 38. I am a teacher and I have not got married yet. My father has passed away, and I help my mother to some extent with household expenses. I want to perform Hajj, and my name was drawn in the “lottery” (to select who can go for Hajj) but I need a mahram.

A: Hajj is only obligatory for those who are able to do it, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

 “And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allaah, those who can afford the expenses”  [Aal ‘Imraan 3:97]

One of the conditions of being able to do it for a woman is that she should have a mahram who agrees to go with her. If she cannot find a mahram then she is not obliged to perform Hajj.
It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (11/93): One of the conditions of Hajj being obligatory is that one should be able to do it, which includes having a mahram for women. If a woman does not have a mahram then she is not permitted to travel, and she is not obliged to perform Hajj unless she has a mahram and he agrees to travel with her. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
 “And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allaah, those who can afford the expenses” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:97]

There is no age at which a woman does not need a mahram, rather at all ages of her life after she reaches puberty it is not permissible for her to travel without a mahram. No distinction is made between young women and old women, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No woman should travel except with a mahram.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim.