Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

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:

Assalamualaikum, firstly i want to know the meaning of my name `Anwara` ... coz , i think it`s an Arabic name , secondly , i `ve known from other relative mails that women are not allowed to travell without mehrams specially where one has to stay for more than one nights or for several dayz; so what i can do as a women ...if i cannot manage a mehram to go along with me , but at a time i want to travell different places for expanding my knowlegde; `n as i`ve heard that in Islam travelling is highly encouraged (if possible). So what can i do if i get a chance to travell but couldn`t manage any mehram to accompany me but only non-mehrams. plz reply.

Zajakallah Khair. 

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Answer:

Travel with mehram

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: ….firstly i want to know the meaning of my name `Anwara` ... coz , i think it`s an Arabic name

The term ‘Anwar’ or ‘Anwara’ is derived from the Arabic root word ‘Noor’ which basically means light….and the literal meaning of the term ‘Anwarah’ is radiance or a ray of light.

Your Question: ….secondly , i `ve known from other relative mails that women are not allowed to travell without mehrams specially where one has to stay for more than one nights or for several dayz;

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."

In light of the above authentic narration of the Prophet (saws), the law of traveling with a male mehram relative is not for all women…. The law is only for those believing women who sincerely believe in Allah and the Last Day! It is not permissible for a believing woman, who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day, to travel a considerable distance which would take more than 24 hours without being accompanied by a male mehram relative.

Your Question: ….So what can i do if i get a chance to travell but couldn`t manage any mehram to accompany me but only non-mehrams.

A woman is indeed at absolute liberty to travel the earth and expand her knowledge….but if she absolutely cannot find a mehram male relative to travel with her, it would be best and akin to piety and righteousness that she give precedence to the safety of her self and her honor above her desire to see more of the earth and abstain from undertaking such travel, if indeed she fears and believes in Allah and the Last Day.

If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray.

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan