TRAVELLING WITHOUT A MAHRAM

A woman is not allowed to undertake a journey of 48 miles all alone. She must be accompanied by a Mahram. Otherwise, she will be guilty according to the Shari’ah. It is to be noted that the distance of 48 miles is according to the Shari’ah. A mile according to the Shari’ah is 2000 yards instead of 1760 yards. 

According to a Hadith, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) has prohibited a woman from travelling a distance of less than that also. According to the Ulama, travelling a distance less than that, only applies where there is danger or insecurity for the woman. As for a journey of 48 miles or more, it will be prohibited even if it appears to be free of danger also. A mahram for a woman is a man with whom she is not allowed to marry under any circumstances, such as her father, brother, nephew, paternal uncle (chacha), maternal uncle (mamou), maternal grandfather (nana), paternal grandfather (dada), etc. 

It should be noted that the cousins or the children of the cousins are not Mahram. Likewise, Pupa, Kalou and brother-in-law (sister’s husband) are people from whom Pardah should be adopted as they are not Mahram. 

When it is said that a woman is not allowed to undertake a journey of this distance without Mahram, it does not only apply to Hajj or Umrah as people tend to believe. It is something which applies to all kinds of journey such as travels of touring, commerce or study. 

[English version of "Voyager sans mahram" – Al Jamiat – Vol.1 No.13]