What is the ruling on bringing in maids without a mahram, and is it permissible for them to stay overnight with them?
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The questioner : Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : O Shaykh, may Allah reward you. What is the ruling on bringing a maid from her country without a mahram? And if this maid is already in the same country, is it permissible for her to stay overnight in their house without a mahram?
The Shaykh : As for bringing her from her country without a mahram, it is forbidden, based on the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih al-Bukhari 1862. And as for if she is in the country and he brings her to use her in his house, if she comes, relieves herself, and goes back to her house, there is no problem; it is also permissible.
But if she stays overnight with him, that is dangerous, especially if there are adolescent boys in the house, for fear of harm, as has happened on some occasions.
The questioner : And if there are no boys?
The Shaykh : If there are no boys, we hope, if Allah wills, that there is no harm in it, but it is better to avoid it and have her stay in another place, coming to relieve herself in the morning and then returning?
The questioner : Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace.
The questioner : If it is the same as what the brother said, and his wife is a teacher and so on, and there is no one else in the house?
The Shaykh : This is not permissible, if this necessitates seclusion, because his wife goes out and only he and the maid remain in the house.
The questioner : He goes out to work and does not come until his wife has already arrived before him?The Shaykh : If there is no seclusion, then it is as we said at the beginning.
The questioner : Meaning, if he brings her...
The Shaykh : If he brings her from her country, you mean?
The questioner : From her country, yes.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible except with a mahram.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : O Shaykh, may Allah reward you. What is the ruling on bringing a maid from her country without a mahram? And if this maid is already in the same country, is it permissible for her to stay overnight in their house without a mahram?
The Shaykh : As for bringing her from her country without a mahram, it is forbidden, based on the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him):
A woman should not travel except with a Dhu-Mahram
لا تسافر المرأة إلا مع ذي محرمBut if she stays overnight with him, that is dangerous, especially if there are adolescent boys in the house, for fear of harm, as has happened on some occasions.
The questioner : And if there are no boys?
The Shaykh : If there are no boys, we hope, if Allah wills, that there is no harm in it, but it is better to avoid it and have her stay in another place, coming to relieve herself in the morning and then returning?
The questioner : Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace.
The questioner : If it is the same as what the brother said, and his wife is a teacher and so on, and there is no one else in the house?
The Shaykh : This is not permissible, if this necessitates seclusion, because his wife goes out and only he and the maid remain in the house.
The questioner : He goes out to work and does not come until his wife has already arrived before him?The Shaykh : If there is no seclusion, then it is as we said at the beginning.
The questioner : Meaning, if he brings her...
The Shaykh : If he brings her from her country, you mean?
The questioner : From her country, yes.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible except with a mahram.