Lady going for Umrah without Mahram

Q: We were planning on going for Umrah. There is a lady who is a very old lady and also wishes to go for Umrah but she has no mehram. Can she travel in the company of a few old ladies?

A: In the Shaafi'e math-hab. it is permissible for a lady to travel for Umrah and Hajj in the company of other elderly, responsible ladies. This is not allowed in the Hanafi math-hab. She needs a mehram.