The meaning of his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): “It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to travel a distance of one day and one night…”

The questioner:
May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good. Our sister asks a somewhat long question. She says: A hadith was reported from the Messenger of Allah So what is the meaning of *al-masirah*?

The Shaykh:
The meaning of *al-masirah* is distance. The meaning of *al-masirah* is distance. Therefore, it is not permissible for a woman to travel unless she is accompanied by a *mahram* in order to protect her, safeguard her, and cut off the corrupt desires directed at her. This is because a woman is weak and exposed to dangers. If she is alone, she is lost and the wicked take advantage of her. So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade her from traveling except with a *mahram*. The intended meaning of travel is what is called travel in the custom of people. Its definition has been given as two days, and it has been defined as one day and one night, and it has also been stated in general terms: “It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to travel except with a *mahram*.” The conclusion is that whatever is called travel, it is not permissible for her to do it except with a *mahram*. There was a man who wanted to go out for jihad in the cause of Allah during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and his wife wanted to go out for Hajj. So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: “Go back; perform Hajj with your wife.” He sent him back from the jihad and the expedition. And whether the travel is on foot, on a mount from the beasts of burden, in a car, or in an airplane, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) generalized it.

The presenter:
O Allah, send blessings.

The Shaykh:
He did not specify one type of travel over another, nor one means of transport over another. This applies to travel until the Day of Resurrection, regardless of the means of travel. Even if it is by a fast means, or by a slow means, in all of this the woman needs a *mahram* to accompany her. Even if she travels in an airplane, in a car, or with many people, that does not exempt her from the companionship of the *mahram* who is with her and carries out her protection and safeguarding. And if she needs him, he is present in order to serve her in what she cannot do herself. The conclusion is that the companionship of the *mahram* for a woman in her travel is obligatory.
And her travel without a *mahram* is forbidden for her, regardless of the means of travel. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) emphasized this, and said: “It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day…” This is an emphasis after an emphasis. If travel for Hajj to the House of Allah is not permissible except with a *mahram*, how much less is it permissible for other travel? So the *mahram* is essential for the woman in her travel, and there is no leniency in this; because she is a weak woman, and the danger exists in every travel she undertakes, and by whatever means she travels, the danger exists, and the cause exists, so the companionship of the *mahram* is necessary. Yes.