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اردو میں پڑھیں

Woman Travel Without a Mahram

Question Regarding Women Traveling Alone:

A young, unmarried woman from our family wishes to travel to another city in order to pursue higher education. In this regard, I would like to ask:

According to Islamic law, is it permissible for a woman or a young unmarried girl to travel to another city or country for education?
What is the ruling if she travels alone or only with a group of women?
What responsibilities do the parents bear in such a situation?

Answer (With the Help of Allah, the Bestower of All)

If the travel distance is less than the legally defined Shar‘i travel distance, and there is no fear of fitnah (moral or religious corruption), there is conditional allowance for a woman to travel. However, traveling with a mahram remains safer and preferable.

As for traveling a distance equal to or greater than the Shar‘i travel distance, it is not permissible for a woman to travel without a mahram, regardless of the purpose of travel—whether for education, employment, business, or even for acts of worship such as Hajj and ‘Umrah. Therefore, sending a young woman alone, without a mahram, to another city or country for education is not Islamically permissible, especially in today’s environment full of trials and temptations.

Underlying Principle Regarding Woman Travel Alone

Islam commands women to live with modesty, dignity, and protection, and the rulings related to women’s travel are established within this framework.

Ruling on Worldly (Non-Religious) Education

If worldly or contemporary education is pursued within Islamic boundaries—such as proper hijab, a morally safe environment, and protection of faith and character—then, in principle, it is permissible for a woman, whether married or unmarried, to acquire such education.

However, traveling for education is subject to separate Islamic rulings, which must be strictly observed.

Islamic Principles Regarding Women’s Travel

Travel Less Than the Shar‘i Distance (Approximately 48 miles / 77 kilometers)

If the travel distance is less than the Shar‘i travel distance, then it may be permissible in itself for a woman to travel alone or with trustworthy women, provided that:

Proper hijab is fully observed.
There is no predominant fear of fitnah (such as immorality, unlawful relationships, or religious harm) along the route or at the destination.

Even in this case, it is more virtuous and precautionary for the woman to travel with her mahram whenever possible, as this ensures greater safety and peace of mind.

Ruling About Woman Traveling Alone When There Is a Fear of Fitnah

If there is a real risk of fitnah, such as:

Living alone in a hostel with inadequate safety arrangements,
A mixed-gender educational environment,
Exposure to religious weakening or moral corruption

Then traveling without a mahram is not permissible, even if the distance is less than the Shar‘i travel distance.

Islam prevents harm and corruption wherever it is likely to occur. No worldly benefit—like education—can take precedence over the purpose of human creation, which is to obey and worship Allah in all situations. This is not hardship, but rather Allah’s mercy and protection.

Travel Equal to or Greater Than the Shar‘i Distance (Approximately 48 miles / 77 kilometers or more)

If the journey reaches the Shar‘i travel distance, it is strictly impermissible for a woman to travel without a mahram.

Traveling with:

A group of women,
A class group, or
A caravan

does not change the ruling. The purpose of travel—whether education, employment, training, tourism, or even Hajj and ‘Umrah—makes no difference. In all such cases, traveling without a mahram is not allowed.

Prophetic Teachings on Women Traveling Without a Mahram

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ clearly prohibited women from traveling the Shar‘i distance without a mahram. Some narrations explicitly mention that even for obligatory acts of worship such as Hajj, traveling without a mahram is not permitted.

If travel is not allowed without a mahram for obligatory worship, then it is even more impermissible for worldly pursuits such as education or employment.

Responsibilities of Parents

Parents bear the following Islamic responsibilities:

Providing both religious and necessary worldly education to their children.
Instilling from an early age the understanding that obedience to Allah is obligatory in all circumstances.
When a daughter reaches maturity and a suitable, religiously compatible proposal is available, parents should not delay her marriage without valid reason.

If, after marriage, a woman travels for education with her husband (who is her mahram), then such travel is permissible, provided Islamic guidelines regarding hijab, environment, and morality are observed.

However, in no situation is it permissible for a woman to travel without a mahram and reside alone in another city or country for extended periods.

ALLAH knows best and most accurately

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