What is the need for which it is permissible for a woman to go out?
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Question:
We also return to the letter of the sister (N. H. A. D.), where we addressed some of her questions in a previous session. She has a set of questions in this session, one of which says: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said regarding women going out: What is the standard by which the need for which a woman is permitted to go out is determined? And if her male mahram is able to fulfill her need, is it permissible for her to go out, especially if her need is to buy clothes? And if she has no mahram, but finds a non-mahram relative who can fulfill her need, is it permissible for her to go out? Or is her non-mahram relative sufficient for her? We ask for guidance. May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
Every woman knows her own need best; this is something that is not fixed. Every woman knows her own need best. So, if she sees that her mahram or someone else cannot fulfill it, and the objective is not achieved through them, then she may go out. However, if she knows that her husband, or her brother, can achieve the objective and there is no need for her to go out, then it is better for her not to go out, and to be content with her mahram—whether a brother, a husband, or someone else—or with someone else among men or women in whom she feels secure and trusts, who can relieve her of the burden. This is because her going out is exposed to much evil, so she should not be lax in this matter.
So, going out when there is a need, while maintaining modesty and caution and staying away from the causes of fitnah and suspicion, is a required matter. For this reason, Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Ahzab: 33] He commanded them to stay in their homes, meaning: except when there is a need. The wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to go out for their needs, and likewise the women of the believers used to go out for their needs. So, if she goes out for her need, whether to visit a relative, to visit a sick person, to maintain family ties, or to buy a need from the market, and she sees that buying it herself is better for her because she knows her need best and knows the description she wants, then there is no harm in that. And if it is easy for someone else to fulfill her need, then that is better and more excellent for her.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
We also return to the letter of the sister (N. H. A. D.), where we addressed some of her questions in a previous session. She has a set of questions in this session, one of which says: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said regarding women going out:
Permission is given to you to go out for your needs.
أذن لكن بالخروج لحاجتكنAnswer:
Every woman knows her own need best; this is something that is not fixed. Every woman knows her own need best. So, if she sees that her mahram or someone else cannot fulfill it, and the objective is not achieved through them, then she may go out. However, if she knows that her husband, or her brother, can achieve the objective and there is no need for her to go out, then it is better for her not to go out, and to be content with her mahram—whether a brother, a husband, or someone else—or with someone else among men or women in whom she feels secure and trusts, who can relieve her of the burden. This is because her going out is exposed to much evil, so she should not be lax in this matter.
So, going out when there is a need, while maintaining modesty and caution and staying away from the causes of fitnah and suspicion, is a required matter. For this reason, Allah the Exalted said:
And abide in your houses
وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّThe presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.