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