Ruling on a woman travelling without a mahram

Question

What is the ruling on a woman travelling without a mahram because her work requires that of her?

Answer

It is haraam because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No woman should travel without a mahram.” This was narrated by Ahmad from the hadeeth of ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) in his Musnad. Even if her work requires that of her, we say that if she cannot find a mahram then she should not travel.