The ruling on a woman riding with a driver without a mahram

Question:
This sister asks: What is the ruling on a woman riding in a car without a mahram (a relative one may not marry) with the driver out of necessity? And does the presence of children prevent seclusion?

Answer:
Riding in a car alone is not permissible; because this is one of the causes of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and evil. Therefore, there must be a woman or a man with her so that there are three, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) . The Messenger prohibited seclusion except with a mahram (a relative one may not marry) or the presence of a third person who removes the seclusion. Just as a man in his house with his wife does not seclude himself with his brother’s wife, so a man does not seclude himself with his brother’s wife, his uncle’s wife, or his neighbor’s wife, neither in a car nor elsewhere. There must be a third person or more with them to remove the seclusion. Children do not suffice; it must be a man or a woman, or a mature boy who understands, or a mature girl who understands, one from whom he feels shy and whom he fears, so that he does not say what is not permissible.