Fatwa ID: 02080

Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question:

Can a woman travel abroad without a Mahram, but with a group of trustworthy women

Answer:

1)     The Prophet of Allah said, “A woman must not travel except with a mahram and a man must not enter upon her except if she has a mahram.”  (Bukhari p.250 v.1) 

2)     The Prophet of Allah  said,  “A woman must not travel for three days except with a mahram.” (Muslim p.432 v.1)

3)     The Prophet of Allah said, “It is unlawful for a woman who believes in Allah and the last day that she travels the distance of three nights without a mahram accompanying her.” (Muslim p.433 v.1)

Allahmah Ibn Aabedeen Shami writes that it will be impermissible for a woman to travel the distance of three days and three nights without a mahram. However, it will be permissible for her to travel a distance, which is less than that without a mahram because of need. (Raddul Muhtar p.465 v.3)

The reason why Islam takes these measures is to protect women from any sort of harm e.g. physical attacks from immoral people or thieves who might rob them where they will be defenceless to stop them.

When it is unlawful for women to travel then how would she be allowed to travel to another country for studying, which is not compulsory on her?

In a nutshell, it will be necessary for you not to travel without a Mahram even though you are travelling with other women, as the ahadith above are clear that a woman is not allowed to travel without a Mahram even though she is being accompanied by trustworthy women.

The only solution you have left is that one of your Mahram accompanies you to the place of study. 

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.