Wife's traveling to see family
Fatwa No: 88960

Question

My husband can since a year not go back to his country because of things that he did not do, we have not been there for three years, and his family has not seen our two youngest children so my husband wants me to travel alone with the children, can I do that for a short time as 1-2 weeks. Or can I take my non-Muslim brother as a Mahram? My husband want send our 7-years-old daughter by herself traveling with anyone going there, can she travel as the family is not Mahram for her. We have not seen the family for long and don't know how they are in Islaam now as his brother's daughter had a mixed wedding this year. Sending a 6-years-old boy by himself is that ok Islaamicly? Please answer quick as my husband want send us and I don't know if it is ok.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

It is not permissible for you to travel except with your husband or your Mahram (a non-marriageable man). The Prophet said: "A woman should not travel except with a Mahram." [Al-Bukhari] But if you have a son who has reached the age of puberty, then there is no harm on you to travel with him, Inshaa' Allaah. It is also permissible for you to travel with your non-Muslim brother according to the most preponderant opinion of the scholars, if he is an adult sane person and if you feel secure by travelling with him. It is permissible as well for your young daughter who has not yet reached the age of puberty to travel with safe company, if she is young and she is not sexually desired at her age. As regards the travel of a young son at the age stated, it is not permissible to let him travel on his own as he is exposed to danger, but if there is safe company, then it is permissible to let him travel with them. 

Allaah knows best.

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