Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this fatwa:
Islam allows women to go out with women companions or even alone if they feel safe. The Prophet (peace be upon him) clarified that the restriction on traveling without a Mahram was for safety during long journeys, not for daily activities. Scholars like Imam Malik and Ash-Shafi`i confirmed that women can travel for work, study, or shopping when safety is ensured.
Responding to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
Understanding the Misconception about Women and Mahram
I don’t know where you got the idea that Islam prevents women from traveling alone for essential tasks like work, study, hospital visits, shopping, or recreation without a Mahram.
As a matter of fact, during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) Muslim women used to travel freely without a Mahram escort.
Therefore, if you heard what mentioned above from a preacher, you should check their credentials and his references.
Context behind the Prophet’s Warning on Traveling Alone
The Prophet indeed warned against women traveling long distances without a Mahram, but this was mainly to ensure their safety and protect their honor. It wasn’t meant to restrict their freedom of movement.
The Prophet himself said he would continue his mission, no matter the obstacles, until a woman could travel from Hirah to Haram alone without fear of molestation. Later, he prophesied to Adiyy ibn Hatim, a Christian who converted to Islam, “Adi, if you live long, you’ll see a young lady traveling alone from Hira to Haram without fear of anyone, except for wolves preying on her sheep.”
When someone asked Aishah if a woman needed a Mahram to travel, she replied, “Can every woman find a Mahram?” She meant that, of course, a woman can travel if she feels safe doing so. Aishah was referring to long-distance journeys, not daily chores. It’s clear she didn’t mean otherwise; as we know, women during the Prophet’s time used to travel for work, shopping, and other tasks. The sources provide many examples of this.
Scholarly Opinions on Women Traveling Alone
Based on these traditions, prominent scholars like Imams Malik and Shafi have ruled that a woman can travel alone if assured of her safety. That is how the Prophet’s wife, Aishah, interpreted the Prophetic interdict.
In other words, if a woman feels safe, she can travel when needed. The main reason for restricting women from traveling without a Mahram was fear for their safety.
👉A full explanation is available in these fatwas:
- Can Men and Women Work Together in Islam?
- Are Women Allowed to Work in Islam?
- Can Muslim Women Work at Beauty Salon?
- Are Women Allowed to Drive in Islam?
- Can a Muslim Woman Be a TV Announcer?
- Are Women Permitted to Serve on Mosque Boards?
Almighty Allah knows best.