What is the criterion for a woman leaving her home with a mahram and without a mahram?
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The questioner : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
May Allah forgive you, O honorable Shaykh: Some of the brothers hold the view that it is not permissible for a Muslim woman to leave her home with her mahram to the market under any circumstances, even if no fitnah is observed that would lead to harm for her. They say that a woman, even if she is of a certain degree of righteousness and uprightness, might look at men, or might be exposed to harm from some people, and so on. In that case, there would be a great harm in her going out. What is the Shari'ah criterion for a woman leaving her home with a mahram and without a mahram out of necessity? I ask you to clarify this matter for me and my brothers. May Allah preserve you, and may Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : I say: There is no doubt that a woman remaining in her home is better and further from fitnah and evil. It is not hidden from any of us what happens of fitnah for women and through them when they go out to the markets. If it is possible for her not to go out, that is what is required. If she is compelled to go out, let her go out as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: meaning: not displaying her adornment and not wearing perfume. However, she should not go out except for a need, such as buying a necessity that her guardian does not purchase for her, because goods differ and she may choose a specific item that her guardian does not buy for her. Although I think the matter is easy, in that the guardian buys the item mentioned to him and tells the seller: "I will show it to my family; if they are pleased with it, I will keep it, otherwise I will return it." This is possible. So, what I see in this matter is that the woman must be confined to her home in all cases and not go out except out of necessity. If she goes out out of necessity, let her be without perfume and not displaying her adornment.
As for accompanying a mahram with her, there is no doubt that it is better and more appropriate, but it is not obligatory as long as the matter does not require travel.
But it is regrettable that you find some people who come to the tailor or the merchant with their family, then remain in the car while the woman goes and talks to the men, and perhaps fitnah occurs regarding their family. So a person should be a decisive man who is jealous of his family and not do this action. If it is absolutely necessary, let him get out with her and stand by her while she talks to the man or he talks to her, and then he talks to the man.
May Allah forgive you, O honorable Shaykh: Some of the brothers hold the view that it is not permissible for a Muslim woman to leave her home with her mahram to the market under any circumstances, even if no fitnah is observed that would lead to harm for her. They say that a woman, even if she is of a certain degree of righteousness and uprightness, might look at men, or might be exposed to harm from some people, and so on. In that case, there would be a great harm in her going out. What is the Shari'ah criterion for a woman leaving her home with a mahram and without a mahram out of necessity? I ask you to clarify this matter for me and my brothers. May Allah preserve you, and may Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : I say: There is no doubt that a woman remaining in her home is better and further from fitnah and evil. It is not hidden from any of us what happens of fitnah for women and through them when they go out to the markets. If it is possible for her not to go out, that is what is required. If she is compelled to go out, let her go out as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
And let them go out disheveled
وليخرجن تفلاتAs for accompanying a mahram with her, there is no doubt that it is better and more appropriate, but it is not obligatory as long as the matter does not require travel.
But it is regrettable that you find some people who come to the tailor or the merchant with their family, then remain in the car while the woman goes and talks to the men, and perhaps fitnah occurs regarding their family. So a person should be a decisive man who is jealous of his family and not do this action. If it is absolutely necessary, let him get out with her and stand by her while she talks to the man or he talks to her, and then he talks to the man.