Fatwa ID: 08380
Answered by: Maulana Abdurrahman Mohammad
Question:
How strict should one be when trying to always travel with a mahram? I’m at university, about a 3.5-hour drive away from my family’s house. I don’t want to cause my dad inconvenience, but I also don’t want to be disrespecting Allah. Any advice?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
A woman is only allowed to cross the travel (Safar) distance when there is a dire need, like in the case where she is the sole provider for her family. University is not considered a dire need as it is not a Daroorah (does not impact survival). Therefore, a Mahram would be required to accompany you whenever you travel from home to your university, assuming the travel exceeds the Safar distance. You may consider the following options.
- Travel with a Mahram
- Use distance learning if available
- Plan classes strategically to reduce trips
- Request professors to record lectures and excuse absences
- Ask classmates to share notes if attendance is not required
- Consider relocating the family closer to the university
- Consider transferring to a closer university
- Get married and live with your husband near the university
- Stay at the university longer to reduce travel (leave early return late)
- Dorm at the university (either alone or with pious Muslimah students)
References:
وَلَا تُسَافِرُ الْمَرْأَةُ بِغَيْرِ مَحْرَمٍ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَمَا فَوْقَهَا
Al-Fatāwā Al-Hindiyyah, vol. 1, pg. 142, Al-Maṭba’ah Al-Kubrā Al-Amīriyyah)
Only Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ) knows best.
Written by Maulana Abdurrahman Mohammad
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
