In the Name of Allāh, the Ever Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy
Question:
What is the distance at which the Sharīʿah allows a woman to travel without a Mahram? How do we harmonise between those narrations that mention a limit of three days distance, and another that mentions two days distance, yet another that states one day? How many kilometres is a journey of a day in our times?
The Imām, al-ʿAllāmah, ʿAbdul-ʿAzīz Ibn Bāz answered:
The principle here is: What is termed a journey at which point it is not permitted for a woman to travel except which a Mahram?
Everything that is considered a journey, then it is not allowed for a woman to embark upon it except with a mahram, due to the saying of the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam):
“A woman is not to travel except with a mahram.”
Sūrat al-Māʾidah, 5:2.
In a narration,
“For a journey of a day and a night except with a mahram.”
Sūrat al-Māʾidah, 5:2.
In a narration,
“For a journey of a day.”
Sūrat al-Māʾidah, 5:2.
In a narration,
“For a journey of a night except with a mahram.”
In another,
“For a journey of three days except with a mahram.”
And in another narration,
“For a journey of half a day.”
So the scholars have stated that Allāh’s Messenger (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) would respond in accordance to the questioner asking the question. So a questioner would ask,
“If a woman wishes to travel for the length of a day, is that allowed for her?”
So the Messenger (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) would respond,
“She is not to travel the distance of day’s journey except with a mahram.”
Another would ask,
“Can she travel for the journey of a night?”
Another would ask,
“Can she travel for a journey of three days?”
So Prophet (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) would answer in accordance to the question asked.
It can also be understood that he would answer in accordance with the Revelation sent to him in those situations. Then Allāh (ﷻ) reduced the hardship concerning travel. So Allāh permitted women to go out in what is not termed a journey. And He did not permit her to go out in that which was considered a journey unless she is accompanied by a mahram.
The point is that his (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) statements could be in accordance with the questions asked. It could also be that Allāh forbade the woman from going out for the distance of half a day except with a mahram, then after that, He (the Most High) forbade her from a distance of a day and a night except with a mahram. Then after that, He forbade her from going out for a distance of three days (and so on) – all this due to a far-reaching wisdom.
But all this is understood on the basis of what is considered a journey. And a journey is that which agrees with the evidence. In that regard, there are narrations reported in the two Saheehs (Bukhari and Muslim) that place no limits and restrictions on the matter, where the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) stated, “A woman is not to travel except with a Mahram.”
So he stated that without any restriction (of days or nights) as occurs in this narration in the Saheeh (of Al-Bukhāri) from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allāh be pleased with him). This one narration harmonises between all the other narrations. Everything that is referred to, or considered to be a journey, then a woman is not allowed to embark on it except with a Mahram. And least of that is half a day, so she cannot embark upon it because this may expose her to evil, corruption and treacherous conduct.
It is not necessary for her to hazard a journey without a mahram. A mahram is her husband and other than him, from those she is forbidden to marry permanently due to blood relations, such as her brother, her father, or a brother through breastfeeding from the same wet nurse. Likewise her paternal uncle through breastfeeding (as they are forbidden for her to marry) and so on.
A day and night’s travel is approximately 80 kilometres (or) 75 kilometres approximately. Half a day is therefore 40km approximately. That is because a day and night are 24 hours, so half of that is 12 hours making it 40km or so. So it is upon her that she keeps herself away from that which approaches this.
As for normal moving around within the city or town, and to the limits of the city, then she does not require a mahram if she is in the company of other women or she is in a safe locality; in a safe and secure township where she does not fear anything, then there is no problem in her moving about the area, to fulfill her needs. It can be from one house to another, even if is a kilometre or two kilometres, three or four (for that matter). All of this does not harm so long as there is widespread safety, and no danger or suspicion, yes.
The Imām, Al-‘Allāmah ‘Abdul-‘Azīz Ibn Bāz (may Allāh have mercy upon him).
And Allāh knows best.
Answered by the Imām, al-‘Allāmah ‘Abdul-‘Azīz Ibn Bāz (may Allāh have mercy upon him).
Translated by Abu Khadījah (may Allāh preserve him).
The Following Is a Mind Map Illustration Showing the Maḥrams (Male Chaperones) of a Woman for Travel and Sittings
A woman must have a legal (Sharīʿah legislated) maḥram (male chaperone) before she can embark upon a journey. Without a maḥram, a woman cannot even travel for Hajj and Umrah – and these are from the greatest acts of worship – so it goes without saying that a journey lesser than these two mighty acts of worship also not permitted except with a mahram.
It does not matter whether the journey (of leaving her home village, town or city) is short or long; it matters not whether she has a group of women with her or she is alone; it matters not whether she is young, pretty and vulnerable or old, unattractive and experienced; it does not matter whether she leaves by car or plane or ship – regardless of these things, a woman is required to have a mahram upon her travels.
This is due to the ḥadīth of Ibn ‘Abbaas (raḍīallāhu ʿanhumā) who narrated from the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) that he said:
“A woman is not allowed to be alone with a man unless there is with her a maḥram. And a woman is not allowed to travel except along with a maḥram.” A man stood up and said: “O Messenger of Allāh! My wife has left out to perform Hajj and I have enlisted for the army in battle.” So the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said: “Go and and perform Hajj along with your wife.”
Saḥih Bukhārī and Muslim 1341.
So the Prophet did not seek from him details of whether she were with her a group of other woman, or whether she was young and beautiful, or whether the trip was going to be safe. So the maḥram is a means of protection and preservation of the woman from harm and corruption; and harassment from wicked people who have not no scruples, honour or respect for woman. It is the duty of the male chaperone to prevent the woman from coming to harm or from falling into that which is forbidden. Before is a mind map illustration of the permissible male chaperones (maḥārim) of a woman, as explained by the great scholar and jurist, Shaikh Muḥammad Ibn Sālih al-ʿUthaimeen (raḥimahullāh).
Notes:
- A journey in the Arabic language: To exit from the dwellings/buildings of a township wherein one resides. In the Sharīʿah: It is any leaving out that requires preparation that is not required by the resident of a town. A traveller no doubt makes a particular type of preparation for his journey – and a resident of a town does not do that, and the first of that is the intent. (Shaikh al-Albānī, Silsilah al-Hudaa wan-Noor, tape 025).
- There are rare circumstances where a woman is forced to travel due to a necessity beyond her control, and she not able to find a mahram. In this situation she must seek guidance from the Scholars of Sunnah and Salafiyyah.
Prepared by Abu Khadījah (may Allāh preserve him).
Retrieved from https://www.abukhadeejah.com.
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