What is the ruling on a woman traveling without a mahram to seek religious knowledge?

Question:
A questioner says: We have one of the preachers who issues a fatwa permitting a woman to travel without a mahram to seek religious knowledge in coeducational universities. He argues based on necessity, stating that preserving religion takes precedence over preserving one's life.

Answer:
This fatwa is a mess. It is a mess. He issues a fatwa saying no mahram is required, while the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) makes the mahram obligatory. Whose words are to be followed: the Messenger's or this man's? The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to travel except with a mahram." As for his claim that this is a necessity, that is wrong. It is not a necessity. The knowledge she needs—chapters of the Qur'an, the conditions of prayer, the pillars of prayer, and the obligations of prayer—she can learn without traveling. She can learn it from summaries or by asking those around her. Does she not need to travel? Yes.