A Woman Traveling for Conferences without a Mahram
Question
As-Salamu `alaykum wa rahamatullahi wa barakatuhu. My wife, who is a university lecturer (and a new Muslim), occasionally needs to travel abroad for conferences related to her area of research (i.e., the perception of Islam in the West). Given that I am unable to travel with her for personal reasons (work, financial, children) and that we live in a non-Muslim country, the only options available to us are that she travels on her own or with her female colleagues. Is the latter acceptable in Islam? If it is not, can you please explain whether or not the prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) hadith that, “There will come a time when a woman will ride her camel to Iraq from Madinah on her own in total security” is of value here? It seems to me that the prohibition of women traveling without mahrams is related to safety, according to this hadith. Your advice will be much appreciated and may Allah reward you. ( Question By : Amin - Canada )
Answer
Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
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.
Dear brother in Islam, thanks a lot for your interest about Islam and its teachings. We do really appreciate your question which shows how far you are interested about adherence to the dictates of Shari`ah. May Allah save us all from the traps of Satan and enlighten our hearts with the light of Islam!
Regarding your question, it should be clear that Islam cares for the dignity and honor of the woman. Because of her weakness and vulnerability to being targeted by vile men, Islam is keen to close the doors to such situations by insisting that a woman should not travel long distances or stay away from home by herself unless she has taken adequate measures to ensure her protection.
In response to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
"Islamic laws are always based on tangible purposes, benefits and wisdom for humankind. Therefore, the interdict against a woman traveling by herself is intended to ensure her honor and dignity; it is not in any way intended to restrict her freedom of movement or prevent her from attaining her full potential.
It is in this spirit that many scholars and jurists, even in the early days, understood the interdict of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) concerning a woman traveling. That is why they said that she can travel in the company of women or any safe company. The Prophet's hadith quoted above can definitely be taken to indicate that the safety of the woman is the major issue; so there is nothing preventing women from traveling if the way is considered to be safe and if there is no fear of molestation.
Today's planes and public transportation provide sufficient protection. They are far safer than traveling in the desert. Even in the latter cases, pious Muslim women did not hesitate to travel with a group that would ensure her safety. So I do not see any reason why your wife should hesitate to travel, provided she has taken all necessary precautions, and that she places her trust in Allah after having done her best, so as to provide the essential service that she offers the community.”
