What is the ruling on a woman being in seclusion with a non-mahram driver?

Question:
What is the ruling of the Shari'ah regarding non-mahram drivers who are in seclusion with women outside their homes, and taking them to markets and parks, and sometimes outside the city, on the pretext that he is their driver?

Answer:
If the driver is not a mahram (a relative one may not marry) to the woman, it is not permissible for him to be in seclusion with her. Rather, it is obligatory that a third person be with them. So if he wants to go to the market or the school, a third person must be with them. He does not take the girl to school alone, nor the woman to the market alone. Let there be another person with them: her brother, or her mother, or his wife, or a third man, or another woman, so that the seclusion is removed. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): . Therefore, it is not permissible for him to be in seclusion with her, whether by taking her to school or otherwise. Rather, there must be someone with them with whom the seclusion is removed, and with whom there is tranquility and the suspicion is dispelled.