Is it permissible to go for Hajj and leave the children with a friend and her maid? Is regular clothing (a skirt or trousers with a blouse) forbidden? And what is the legitimate Islamic dress?

We advise you to hasten to perform the Hajj pilgrimage whenever possible. There is no harm in leaving your children with your trustworthy friend if she undertakes their care. You must abandon clothes that displease Allah, such as those that are tight, transparent, or short, for which the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, warned wearers of the Fire. You must wear abayas or other garments that meet the Islamic conditions: that they cover the entire body, are not tight or transparent, are not perfumed or similar to men's clothing or that of disbelieving women, and are not an adornment in themselves.