Can woman travel alone: ..

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Burhan, As salaam alaykum thank you for this. I have a question tought, In this modern world of high technology and stuff, does one still need to be accompanied by a brother or so to a trip? My point is , if a woman is working, (Unless if islam forbids women from working) and she is required to travel to attend a meeting etc, she has to bring a brother with her? That can be impractical in terms of costs etcs. pls advise.

As well, if the case was procting a woman aganisnt harzards and mischiefs, now adays a person travels luxuriously from one point to another, whats the problem?

In your opinion as a scholar is it possible for a human being to give up 100 % of this worldly treasures and be a really muslim? especially in the countires which are non islamic i find it quite difficult, as some islamic acts are even explicitly prohibited or implicitly prohibited and render a person to loose jobs etc. Pls advise. Thanks and good day.

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Answer:

Can woman travel alone

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: In this modern world of high technology and stuff, does one still need to be accompanied by a brother or so to a trip? My point is , if a woman is working, (Unless if islam forbids women from working) and she is required to travel to attend a meeting etc, she has to bring a brother with her? That can be impractical in terms of costs etcs. pls advise.

As well, if the case was procting a woman aganisnt harzards and mischiefs, now adays a person travels luxuriously from one point to another, whats the problem?

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 27 Surah Noor verses 30-31:

30      Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and scrupulously guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.

31      And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and scrupulously guard their modesty.

In principle, as long as the believers, men or women alike, do not violate any of the tenets of Shariah, there is absolutely no harm in them seeking lawful work in any field which is deemed lawful in Shariah.

What is of paramount importance is that the believers, men and women alike, should fear Allah at all times, scrupulously guard their modesty, and abstain from working, facilitating, or indulging in any work which has been declared as ‘haraam’ or unlawful by Allah and His Messenger (saws).  As long as none of the tenets of Shariah are violated, the believers, men and women alike, may seek work in any lawful field of their choice. 

Your Question: ....My point is , if a woman is working, (Unless if islam forbids women from working) and she is required to travel to attend a meeting etc, she has to bring a brother with her? That can be impractical in terms of costs etcs. pls advise.

As well, if the case was procting a woman aganisnt harzards and mischiefs, now adays a person travels luxuriously from one point to another, whats the problem?

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 2.194         Narrated by Abu Huraira

The Prophet (saws) said, "It is not permissible for a woman,  who believes in Allah and the Last Day,  to travel for one day and night except with a Mahram."

Firstly brother, the law does not apply to all women, but rather only the believing woman who sincerely fears Allah and the Last Day.  Secondly, if the duration of the travel or the journey of the believing woman is less than one day and one night (24 hours), there is absolutely no harm or sin if the believing woman travels alone without a ‘mahram’ accompanying her.

Respected brother, most travels, in this day and age of luxury and speed would seldom exceed 24 hours! 

Your Question: .....In your opinion as a scholar is it possible for a human being to give up 100 % of this worldly treasures and be a really muslim?

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 7 Surah Aaraf Verse 32:

Say: Who hath forbidden the beautiful (gifts) of Allah which He hath produced for his servants and the things clean and pure (which He hath provided) for sustenance? Say: they are in the life of this world for those who believe, (and) exclusively for them on the Day of Judgment. Thus do We explain the signs in detail for those who understand.

It is indeed a grave misconception that to be a true believer one has to abstain or avoid all the worldly treasures and luxuries and live like a pauper or a monk!!!!  Who has forbidden these beautiful gifts, provided they are pure and lawful, which the Lord Most Gracious has produced for his servants???  It is definitely not Allah Subhanah or His Messenger (saws) who has forbidden these lawful gifts unto the believers!!!

If Allah Subhanah chooses to bless one to be a king, or an extremely rich businessman, etc. who can afford every luxury this life has to offer and this person fears Allah and the advent of the Last Day, earns his sustetance lawful, and gives the due rights from his wealth to whom it is due, and is ever grateful unto his/her Lord Most Gracious for His favors upon him/her.....such a person will be shown the Mercy and Grace of the Lord Most Gracious on the Day of Judgment.   If one is looking for an example, look no further than the Noble Prophets of Allah Subhanah, Prophet Dawood (a.s.) and Prophet Sulaimaan (a.s.).....they were blessed with kingdoms and with wealth and luxuries the other kings of the world can only aspire and dream about.....but they were ever submissive to their Lord Creator, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 

So yes, in our humble opinion, it is indeed possible for any human being to be a real and true believer, regardless of the state and level of sustenance their Lord Most Gracious may have blessed them with!

Your Question: .....especially in the countires which are non islamic i find it quite difficult, as some islamic acts are even explicitly prohibited or implicitly prohibited and render a person to loose jobs etc. Pls advise

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 286:

286    On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear.  It gets every good that it earns and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray): "Our Lord! condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear.  Blot out our sins and grant us forgiveness.  Have mercy on us.  Thou art our Protector; help us against those who stand against faith."

It is indeed possible that one may happen to be born or live in an evil land or a nation where one might be more inclined towards sin, or the laws of that land do not allow one to practice their deen the way they wish, or one may be forced to face a severe trial or 'fitnah' if one were to sincerely practice their deen.  If one finds oneself in such an evil land or nation, rather than risk being condemned to the eternal Fire of Hell, if one has, one should exercise the option of migrating to another place where one would be at liberty to practice their deen the way they wish. It is expected that they will find the earth of Allah Subhanah quite spacious and their Lord Quite Gracious and Merciful!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa Verse 97:

When angels take the souls of those who die in sin against their souls they say: "In what (plight) were ye?" They reply: "Weak and oppressed were we in the earth." They say: "Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to move yourselves away (from evil)?" Such men will find their abode in Hell; what an evil refuge!

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is only ones. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brothers and well wishers in Islam,

 

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