The Ruling on Women Riding in Public Transportation

Question:
A letter reached the program from the Democratic Republic of Sudan—Khartum—and its sender is one of the sisters from there, saying: A listener to the program, Zahra al-Tahir Muhammad. Our sister says in one of her questions in this letter: I heard in one of your program episodes that it is not permissible for women to ride next to men in public vehicles, and since it is not possible to have dedicated vehicles for us, and due to my work, I am forced to ride these vehicles daily. What is your opinion? And what do you advise me? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
If it is necessary to ride in public buses, let the women’s seating be separate, behind the men, and the men’s seating be separate, in front of them, so that the woman does not touch the man, and so that there is no contact or closeness that is feared to lead to fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). It should be that the women’s vehicles are behind the men, and the men are in front of them, with dedicated vehicles for these and dedicated vehicles for those.
If she is compelled to do otherwise, let her strive to observe hijab (the covering prescribed for women), cover herself, and keep her distance from touching the man in ways that cause fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) until she reaches her destination, if it is close and does not count as travel.
As for if the distance is considered travel, then a mahram (a relative one may not marry) is necessary; because of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): In any case, it is obligatory for women and men to fear Allah all together, and to strive to keep away from the causes of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation).
If the need calls for public vehicles, let those responsible for them strive to make the women’s vehicles separate, and the men’s vehicles separate, to keep away the causes of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). It is recommended for the known passengers to do this and to ask the bus officials to do this, so that fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) is less and so that evil is less, if Allah wills. Yes.

The presenter: Do you advise the woman not to sit in the same seat that the man sits in?

The Shaykh: Yes, I advise her not to sit with him if there is touching and closeness that is feared to lead to fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). Let her keep her distance and sit in a vehicle far from that, where there is no touching. If it is facilitated that the women’s vehicles are separate, and the men’s vehicles are separate, the matter is ended and the problem is removed. Yes.

The presenter: Yes, yes, so the advice is also directed to the men?

The Shaykh: Yes, to both men and women, all of them must beware of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), and strive for the men’s vehicles to be separate in the front section, and the women behind them in the rear section, so that the intended purpose is achieved without committing fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), along with the women observing hijab (the covering prescribed for women), striving for covering, keeping away from the causes of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), and not displaying what tempts men through tabarruj (a woman's display of her adornment), and displaying the woman’s adornment on her face and elsewhere. Rather, she should be covered in face, covered in hair, and covered in body, far from the causes of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). And Allah is the One to be sought for help. Yes.

The presenter: Allah is the Helper.