Porous mullites were fabricated using $Al(OH)_3$ and amorphous $SiO_2$ as starting materials by reaction sintering method. The molar ratios of alumina and silica varied from stoichiometric mullite composition to silica-rich and alumina-rich compositions. $AlF_3$ of 0, 1, 5, 10 wt% wad added to each composition, and the effects of composition and the additive for the formation of mullite were examined. The temperature of mullite formation decreased as the amount of $AlF_3$ increased, and themullite phase was formed in the stoichiometric composition in addition of 5 wt% $AlF_3$ at $1250^{circ}C$ and porous whiskered mullite were synthesized in the sample sintered at $1300^{circ}C$ and higher temperature. The effect of temperature on the mullite formation was not observed for the sample with 5 wt% or higher content of $AlF_3$, and the body showed little contraction after sintering.