What is the Sharia ruling on photographing women—for the purpose of obtaining a passport to perform 'Umrah—while their hair is uncovered, knowing that one of them has never performed 'Umrah before, and the other has previously performed Hajj and 'Umrah? And is it permissible to travel and leave three children (aged 14, 12, and 5.5 years) with relatives in order to perform 'Umrah?

A woman is not permitted to uncover her hair for photography unless there is an urgent necessity or a pressing need, and a woman should do the photography if possible. If performing 'Umrah is not possible except in this manner, then there is no harm in it due to necessity, and the sin remains upon the one who stipulated the picture in that form without a valid reason. Looking [at what is normally covered] is permissible in cases of need, such as for treatment, transactions, or testimony, provided that the uncovering is not considered a breach of decorum. For looking for treatment, the presence of a mahram or husband is required, along with the unavailability of a healer of the same gender, and that the healer is not a disbeliever if a Muslim is available.