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:

Assulaamualaikum,
My daughter is 18 and she wants to go abroad for higher studies. Is it permissible to LIVE in a hostel(away from her family)for this purpose? 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Permissible for woman to live 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.

As long as the woman fears Allah, strives her absolute utmost to live her life within the prescribed boundaries of her Lord….there is absolutely nothing in Shariah which declares that it is prohibited for a believing woman to live alone or away for her family, if indeed she wishes to do such a thing.

Thus my respected sister in Islam, the real issue is not whether a believing woman is permitted or prohibited in Islam from living alone, but the real issue for the parents/guardians of the young sister should be whether or not it would be prudent to allow or encourage their beloved daughter to live away and alone at this extremely delicate and trying time of their lives. Allah forbid, if anything untoward were to happen, they would have no one to blame but themselves.

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