What Should a Woman Do If She Is Already Studying Abroad Without a Mahram?

Question: Asalamualykum Wa rahmatulahi Wa baraqatuhu Shykh. May Allah bless and reward you shykh, and grant you and your family Jannatul Firdeous. A sister is to studying abroad in a muslim country, away from her family. She made this decision during a time when she was negligent and unaware so she took the prohibition of travelling to and fro without a mahram lightly. She still has few years of university, and she is concerned about this rule and it has been a source of bother for her. It is not possible for her father to accompany her during each travel due to the cost. What can she do in her situation? Jazakallahu Khairan wa BaraqAllah Feek

Summary:

If this sister traveled abroad to study while unaware of the ruling that prohibits a woman from traveling without a mahram, and only learned of the ruling afterwards, then she must repent to Allah for that prohibited travel and firmly resolve not to repeat it. She should not continue traveling to and from her place of study without a mahram if she is able to avoid doing so. If it is possible for her to transfer to a university in her own country, or to complete her studies in a manner that does not require prohibited travel, then she must do so. However, if this is not possible and she is already in the middle of her studies, then she should minimize her travel as much as possible, strive to have a mahram accompany her on every journey whenever feasible, fear Allah to the best of her ability, and hasten to repent and seek His forgiveness.

Answer:

The basic ruling is that it is prohibited for a woman to travel without a mahram.

From the Sunnah:

It is authentically reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih MuslimFrom Abdullah bin Abbas رضي الله عنهما that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"A woman must not travel except with a mahram."
In The Two SahihsIt is also reported from Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to travel the distance of a day's and night's journey except with a mahram." Agreed upon.

These texts are general and make no exception for travel undertaken for study, work, tourism, or any other purpose. However, this sister stated that she made the decision to study abroad before knowing the Islamic ruling. Whoever falls into a sin out of ignorance of its ruling, then later learns the ruling, must repent to Allah

From the Qur'an:

(Surah Al-Nur, 24:31)
"And all of you repent to Allah, O believers, so that you may be successful."
(Surah Al-Taghabun, 64:16)
"So fear Allah as much as you are able."

Once she has learned the ruling, it is not permissible for her to be careless about it or to continue violating it when she is able to avoid doing so. If it is possible for her to transfer to a university in her own country, move to a place where prohibited travel is no longer required, or postpone her studies until a mahram is available, then this is what she must do. However, if she is already in the middle of her studies, and interrupting them would result in significant hardship, while her father or another mahram is unable to accompany her on every journey, then she must fear Allah according to her ability. She should minimize her travel, travel only with a mahram whenever possible, seek every lawful means that helps her comply with the Islamic ruling, increase in repentance and seeking forgiveness, and never become content with or careless regarding this situation.

From the Scholars:

Shaykh Abd al-Aziz bin Baz رحمه الله said:
"As for a woman traveling without a mahram, this is not permissible. The Lawgiver explicitly prohibited it, and the Prophet ﷺ clearly forbade it, saying in the authentic hadith: 'A woman must not travel except with a mahram.'"
Shaykh Muhammad bin Salih al-Uthaymin رحمه الله said:
"It is not lawful for a woman to travel without a mahram, whether for seeking knowledge, Hajj, Umrah, visiting relatives, or any other purpose, due to the generality of the statement of the Prophet ﷺ, authentically reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim from Abdullah bin Abbas: 'A woman must not travel except with a mahram.'"
Shaykh Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani رحمه الله was asked whether it is permissible for a woman to travel by airplane without a mahram. He replied:
"It is not permissible. As long as it is considered travel, then it is not allowed. There is no difference whether the journey is by airplane, car, or riding animal, since all of these fall under the Islamic definition of travel."

Conclusion: This sister will, Allah willing, be rewarded for her fear of Allah, her concern to learn the Islamic ruling, and for asking about it, for these are signs of a living heart and reverence for Allah's commands. She must repent to Allah for what has passed, firmly resolve never to repeat traveling without a mahram, and strive to correct her situation as much as she is able. If she can discontinue such travel or transfer to a lawful means of completing her studies, then she must do so. If she is unable to eliminate every aspect of the violation immediately, then she should fear Allah according to her ability, reduce the extent of the violation, and strive not to travel except with a mahram whenever possible. We also advise her to fear Allah, honor His limits, and not allow concern for obtaining a degree or worldly interests to lead her to persist in something that Allah and His Messenger ﷺ have prohibited. What is with Allah is better and everlasting. Whoever gives up something for Allah, Allah will replace it with something better. Allah says: "And whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out, and provide for him from where he does not expect." (Surah Al-Talaq, 65:2-3) At the same time, she should know that persisting in a sin after learning its ruling is a serious matter. The sincere believer submits to the command of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ and does not place personal desires or worldly interests before obedience to his Lord. Allah says: "So let those who oppose his command beware lest a trial befall them or a painful punishment afflict them." (Surah Al-Nur, 24:63) Therefore, she should hasten to sincere repentance, maintain a good opinion of her Lord, increase in supplication and seeking forgiveness, and ask Allah to facilitate for her a lawful way to complete her studies. Whoever is sincere with Allah, Allah is sincere with him. Whoever fears Him, He grants him a way out of every hardship and relief from every distress. And Allah is the Granter of success.

And Allah knows best.

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