Q. I am a successful woman and very independent. Allah has blessed me with money. I was told the importance of Hajj and so I wish to go for Hajj. One problem, because I am a convert, I do not have a Mahram. Can I join my local masjid and make my Imaam my Mahram? Some said yes, others said no.

A. Sister, it is only binding for you to go to Hajj if you have enough finances to accomplish the Hajj and a Mahram to accompany you. If your Imaam happens to be your uncle, husband, father, nephew, son-in-law, son (is from the list of those whom you cannot marry), then you can go with him. You cannot just make him your Mahram merely because he is your Imaam.

You cannot fulfill a fardh by committing a haram. (And besides, Islam is simple in its request. Do not make it difficult upon yourself by doing a great action the wrong way, which would result in greater sin than reward.)
However, should this condition remain until your death, then it would be necessary for you to make a bequest (wasiyyat) which comprises the condition someone doing Hajj-e-Badal in place of you not being able to do. (check Ahsanul Fataawa part 4 page number 532).

Allah certainly knows best.