What is the ruling on a woman riding in a car with a man who is not one of her mahram (a relative one may not marry)?

Question : This is a woman calling in. She says: Honorable Shaykh, what is the ruling on riding with a man who is not one of her mahram? This man is trustworthy and committed to his religion. What is the ruling in this case? May Allah reward you.

Answer : The ruling in this matter, in our view, is that it is forbidden (haram), and that it is not permissible for a woman to ride alone in a car with a man who is not one of her mahram, no matter how much trust there is in him. This is because Satan flows through the son of Adam as blood flows. Therefore, we emphasize strongly that it is not permissible for a woman to ride alone with a driver if he is not one of her mahram, no matter what his religion or trustworthiness is.