Question: When is it okay for
male or female Muslims to travel alone? When is it not okay? Is it
okay for sisters to travel without a mahram?
Please define travel and define mahram
and tell me where this concept of mahram
has come from? Is it mentioned specifically in the hadith?
Answers: There are a number
of Ahadith
in which directives have been given by the Prophet (sws) for the well-being
(maslihah)
of the Muslims. However, if the circumstances in which such directives
have been given change, then, as is the case with all conditional directives,
such directives may no longer apply in the changed circumstances.
The directives given to Muslim women
about travelling belong to the above mentioned category. To ensure a safe
journey for a women and to protect her moral character from any scandalous
allegation in the strife ridden society of Arabia, the Prophet (sws) bade
them travel with a mahram relation.
In my opinion, all tours and journeys
etc in which the above two bases still exist, the condition of a woman
travelling with a mahram must be followed.
However, with the changed circumstances
of modern times, travelling has become a lot different from what it used
to be in previous days. There are some travels in which safety both physical
as well as moral is ensured. So, in such travels the mahram
condition no longer applies. As far as the decision as to which journeys
have become so safe is concerned, the traveller must decide for herself.
The word travel needs no definition
since it is not a religious term. Everything which in the English language
can be termed as `travel' is travel.
The word mahram
is used for those relatives with whom a marital relationship is eternally
prohibited by the Shari`ah. It has been specifically stated by the
Prophet (sws) in the Ahadith pertaining to this subject.
These directives have got nothing
to do with male Muslims.
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