The ruling on a domestic worker traveling with the household without a mahram
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His Eminence the Shaykh: What is the ruling on a domestic worker traveling with the family for whom she works, especially if she does not have a mahram to accompany her?
If she has a mahram with her, there is no problem with it. If she does not have a mahram with her, we see that it is necessary for the domestic worker to come with a mahram. We hold this view, even though we were initially lenient in this matter, because we have heard of disturbing and terrifying incidents regarding domestic workers coming without a mahram to protect them, especially in a house where there are adolescent boys, in which case the greatest sin may occur, may Allah protect us from it. However, if it happens that people are afflicted with this domestic worker, and they travel, and there is no one in the house who is trustworthy to stay with her, then her traveling with them is a specific necessity; because her remaining is harm and fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). So, in this case, there is no harm in her traveling with them out of dire necessity.
If she has a mahram with her, there is no problem with it. If she does not have a mahram with her, we see that it is necessary for the domestic worker to come with a mahram. We hold this view, even though we were initially lenient in this matter, because we have heard of disturbing and terrifying incidents regarding domestic workers coming without a mahram to protect them, especially in a house where there are adolescent boys, in which case the greatest sin may occur, may Allah protect us from it. However, if it happens that people are afflicted with this domestic worker, and they travel, and there is no one in the house who is trustworthy to stay with her, then her traveling with them is a specific necessity; because her remaining is harm and fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). So, in this case, there is no harm in her traveling with them out of dire necessity.