Some students of knowledge say: It is permissible for a woman to travel alone in our time without a mahram (relative one may not marry). What is the answer to this?

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. Some students of knowledge say it is permissible for a woman to travel alone in our time without a mahram (relative one may not marry). They cite as evidence that the journey does not involve staying overnight for a day and a night, as in the hadith, and that there is a safe group. He asks how to respond to this?

Answer:
He says what he wants, but the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) says except with a mahram (relative one may not marry) with her. And you say what you want; we say the Messenger said this. Do we take the Messenger’s word or your word? A person should fear Allah and not issue such fatwas (scholarly legal rulings). The Messenger’s words are general for all times: the time of the camel, the time of the airplane, the time of the rocket, and whatever time. The Messenger’s words are general and valid for every time and place. We do not negate them by saying such and such happened. It is not permissible for a woman to travel except with a mahram (relative one may not marry) with her. Yes.