What is the ruling on employing maids without a mahram?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner says: I see some committed young men, especially among the students of knowledge, employing maids without a mahram. What is the ruling on this? And if I advise someone from the general public against employing maids without a mahram, he says, "If it were forbidden, so-and-so and so-and-so from the students of knowledge would not have done it." What is the guidance?

Answer:
The mahram is required for bringing them in for travel without a mahram, that they come from their countries without a mahram, and that they go to their countries without a mahram, so the mahram is a condition for travel. As for her presence with the family at night, this does not require a mahram, but on the condition that he does not be alone with her, and that she observes hijab in front of him. And if she is with his family, and with his women, observing hijab, and he does not be alone with her, then there is no harm in that. The mahram is only needed for their departure and return.