Does the Ruling on Traveling with a Non-Practicing Mahram Apply to Short Trips?

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Question

Does the ruling on a woman not traveling with a non-practicing mahram apply to both short and long distances? What if the only available mahram is non-practicing or non-Muslim? Does this ruling extend to short trips for groceries or family visits?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

It is permissible for a woman to move about in her local area without a mahram or spouse. Local means that she is within the distance of 48 miles (77km) beyond which she would become a traveler. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

As for travel distance, she must have a Mahram or spouse with her. The Mahram/spouse must be trustworthy and not a person who is impudent and shameless. The legal reasoning for the accompaniment of the Mahram/spouse is that they would protect her; if they are untrustworthy or shameless, they would not have such concern for her. [Ibid.]

If the mahram or spouse is not practicing, as long as their character is such that they would protect her in all its meanings during the journey, it is permissible. [Ibid.]

Related: Can Muslim Women Travel without a Mahram?

Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he went on to study at Darul Uloom Seminary in New York and completed his studies at Darul Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen.

There, he completed the memorization of the Quran and his study of Islamic Sciences. Throughout his years of study, he was blessed to learn from many great scholars: Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Habib Kazhim al-Saqqaf, Shaykh ‘Umar bin Husayn al-Khatib, and others.

Upon returning, he joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.