This article is derived from the book 500 Questions and Answers for Women, which contains fatwas from the scholars of the Haramain. The translation is done by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
"لَا يَخْلُوَنَّ رَجُلٌ بِامْرَأَةٍ إِلَّا مَعَ ذِي مَحْرَمٍ"
("No man should be alone with a woman unless there is a mahram with them.")
[Authentic – Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith No. 4935), Sahih Muslim (Hadith No. 1341)]
The Prophet (ﷺ) also said:
"لَا يَخْلُوَنَّ رَجُلٌ بِامْرَأَةٍ، فَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ ثَالِثُهُمَا"
("A man must not be alone with a woman, for the third among them is Satan.")
[Authentic – Sunan al-Tirmidhi (Hadith No. 2165)]
However, if there is at least one more man or multiple men present, or one or more other women accompany her, then there is no harm, provided that there are no circumstances leading to suspicion or fitnah. The presence of a third person eliminates khalwah.
This permission applies only when the distance does not qualify as travel (safar).
"لَا تُسَافِرِ الْمَرْأَةُ إِلَّا مَعَ ذِي مَحْرَمٍ"
("A woman must not travel except with a mahram.")
[Authentic – Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith No. 1763), Sahih Muslim (Hadith No. 1341)]
This hadith has been authenticated by both Imam al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim, and the ruling applies regardless of whether the travel is by land, air, or sea.
Allah is the Bestower of success.
(Shaykh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz رحمه الله)
Question:
What is the ruling on a woman riding alone with her driver within the city? Also, what is the ruling if a woman rides alone with a group of other women?Answer:
A woman riding alone with a non-mahram driver, without the presence of a third mahram person, is not permissible, as this falls under the ruling of khalwah (seclusion). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) has stated in an authentic narration:"لَا يَخْلُوَنَّ رَجُلٌ بِامْرَأَةٍ إِلَّا مَعَ ذِي مَحْرَمٍ"
("No man should be alone with a woman unless there is a mahram with them.")
[Authentic – Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith No. 4935), Sahih Muslim (Hadith No. 1341)]
The Prophet (ﷺ) also said:
"لَا يَخْلُوَنَّ رَجُلٌ بِامْرَأَةٍ، فَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ ثَالِثُهُمَا"
("A man must not be alone with a woman, for the third among them is Satan.")
[Authentic – Sunan al-Tirmidhi (Hadith No. 2165)]
However, if there is at least one more man or multiple men present, or one or more other women accompany her, then there is no harm, provided that there are no circumstances leading to suspicion or fitnah. The presence of a third person eliminates khalwah.
This permission applies only when the distance does not qualify as travel (safar).
Ruling on Traveling Without a Mahram
When it comes to travel (safar), a woman must not travel except with a mahram relative, as the Prophet (ﷺ) said:"لَا تُسَافِرِ الْمَرْأَةُ إِلَّا مَعَ ذِي مَحْرَمٍ"
("A woman must not travel except with a mahram.")
[Authentic – Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith No. 1763), Sahih Muslim (Hadith No. 1341)]
This hadith has been authenticated by both Imam al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim, and the ruling applies regardless of whether the travel is by land, air, or sea.
Allah is the Bestower of success.
(Shaykh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz رحمه الله)