Excerpted from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women” based on the Fatāwā of the Scholars of the Ḥaramayn, translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullah Salīm
Is it permissible for a woman to go to the mosque for Tarawih prayers with a non-maḥram driver? And does the ruling differ if there are multiple women with the driver?
It is not permissible for a woman to ride alone with a non-maḥram (stranger) driver to go to the mosque or any other place, because Sharīʿah strictly prohibits seclusion (khalwah) between a man and a woman who are not lawful for each other.
However, if a group of women are riding with the driver, then due to the removal of the unlawful khalwah, the situation becomes less severe. Nonetheless, the women are required to adhere to Islamic manners and modesty, and they must not engage in laughter, joking, or open conversation with the driver.
Allah Almighty commands:
فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ بِالْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ الَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِ مَرَضٌ وَقُلْنَ قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوفًا
“So do not be soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is disease should covet, but speak with appropriate words.”
[Surah al-Aḥzāb: 32]
– Fatwā by Shaykh Ṣāliḥ ibn Fawzān ibn ʿAbdullāh حفظه الله
❖ Question:
Is it permissible for a woman to go to the mosque for Tarawih prayers with a non-maḥram driver? And does the ruling differ if there are multiple women with the driver?
❖ Answer:
It is not permissible for a woman to ride alone with a non-maḥram (stranger) driver to go to the mosque or any other place, because Sharīʿah strictly prohibits seclusion (khalwah) between a man and a woman who are not lawful for each other.
However, if a group of women are riding with the driver, then due to the removal of the unlawful khalwah, the situation becomes less severe. Nonetheless, the women are required to adhere to Islamic manners and modesty, and they must not engage in laughter, joking, or open conversation with the driver.
Allah Almighty commands:
فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ بِالْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ الَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِ مَرَضٌ وَقُلْنَ قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوفًا
“So do not be soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is disease should covet, but speak with appropriate words.”
[Surah al-Aḥzāb: 32]
– Fatwā by Shaykh Ṣāliḥ ibn Fawzān ibn ʿAbdullāh حفظه الله
