Under dire necessity the woman can travel with no Mahram

3-12-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

If a woman hasn't got a Mahram in her city, can she go to another city without a Mahram if it is a matter that necessitates her journey (I mean a really urgent matter)?

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. It is unlawful for the woman to travel without Mahram. There are sound Ahadith proving that. The majority of scholars believe that there is no difference in this rule between a long journey and a short one. This is because, the traveling of the woman with no Mahram can result in much temptation even if it is not long. The only exception here is when there is a dire necessity for the woman to travel without a Mahram. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {…and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion;…}[22:78]. Allah also Says (interpretation of meaning): {…while He has explained to you in detail what is forbidden to you, except under compulsion of necessity?…}[6:119]. The criteria for the necessity that allows the woman to travel without Mahram (if unavailable) is fearing for her life, her honour, her property or her mind. The woman is also allowed to travel without being accompanied if confronted to harsh conditions that she cannot normally overcome. Allah knows best.