Is it permissible for a woman to spend the night at her friend's house without a mahram (a relative one may not marry) being present?

The questioner : One of the brothers asked me about women spending the night; specifically, if a woman spends the night in a house where there is no mahram (a relative one may not marry) for her, is it permissible for her to do so?

The Shaykh : Is she alone, or with a group?

The questioner : Alone, meaning she went to her friend's house and stayed late, or she went there.

The Shaykh : Yes, that she spends the night in a house other than the house of her mahrams (relatives one may not marry).

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Not alone, I mean?

The questioner : Yes, women.

The Shaykh : The point is that it is in a house other than the house of her mahrams (relatives one may not marry).

The questioner : Yes, and she has no mahram (a relative one may not marry) with her.

The Shaykh : By Allah, this can be said to be permissible out of dire necessity, but otherwise the original ruling is that it is not permissible, because she needs to relieve herself and such, unless there are absolutely no men present.

The questioner : If there are no men, it is permissible.