Fathwa, - Can a woman travelalone within her own city?

Question:
Is a woman allowed totravel within her own city without a mahramfor
any halal reason? An example would be going shopping alone. Or going
with a group of female friends to eat and spend time together outside
the home, like in a restaurant, or picnic area, without any male. I
have a friend, who recently became rather "harsh" throughher husband
(she has only been married 1 year). According to him and his
teachings, a woman cannot go anywhere without a mahram, even her own
city, unless there is a "need" like buying food so she won't starve.
Work, Education, having fun with friends is not considered a need. I
am Sunni Hanafi, and I would really like to know the Hanafi position
on this so I don't commit a wrong.
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
Dear Sister,
I pray this message finds you in good health and faith.
It is not unlawful for a woman to leave her house. The restrictions on
women going out alone apply to women's travel. However, when a woman
stays within city limits, she is allowed to go out to take care of her
needs, provided that she has the permission ofher husband.
According to both the Hanafi and Shafi'i Schools, the husband may
prohibit his wife from leaving the house. Please see "Is it
permissible for a man to forbid his wife from working?" at
http://qa.sunnipath.com /issue_view.asp?HD=1& ID=2302&CATE=121for more
details. For the Shafi'i reference, please see Reliance of the
Traveller's chapter on marriage (m10.3). The basis for this
restriction is the hadith of the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him
peace, "It isnot permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the
Last Day to allow someone into her husband's home if he is opposed, or
to go out if he is averse." (Bayhaqi)
As believing women, our primary responsibility is taking care of our
homesand families. Sacred Law has given men the responsibility of
providing for us. Thus, men are required to go out and earn for their
families. Women, on other hand, should avoidgoing out unnecessarily.
Allah Most High says,"And abide quietly in your homes, and do not
flaunt your charms as they used to flaunt them in the old days of
pagan ignorance;and be constant in prayer, and render the purifying
dues, and pay heed unto God and His Apostle... (Al-Ahzab, 33:33)
Having said that, it is alsoimportant to understand that Islam is
religion of balance and moderation.Husbands are not dicators, and are
not allowed to make their wives' lives miserable, nor to control their
everycoming and going. Husbands are encouraged to let their wives
visit relatives, seekknowledge, go to the masjid, and carry out their
obligations. Allah Most High says, And women shall have rights
similar to the rights against them, according to what is
equitable...(Al-Baqara, 2:228)
The basis for how husbands and wives should relate to each other is
the example of the Noble Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace.
He was kind and loving to his wives and did not prevent them from
becoming fulfilled individuals. The Mothers of the Believers, may
Allah be pleased with them, were accomplished women who studied,
taught, worked, and participated in the life ofthe community. However,
they did so within the limits of Allah Most High.
Thus, it is important for husbands and wives to strike a balance. Yes,
a husband may prohibit his wife from leaving thehouse. But he should
only do so if it's in his wife's best interests, and not as a means of
controland domination. If he compels her to stay at home, he should
consider the following:
1. Is her supporting her on a proper level?
2. Is he providing her with warm, compassionate companionship?
3. Is he facilitating social interaction for her by allowing her
family to visit her?
4. Is he making sure that she has the ability to study her religion
from within the confines of the home?
Realistically speaking, it is difficult, if not impossible, for
Western Muslims to ensure the above requirements and keep their wives
at homeall the time.
Previous answers on SunniPath address the issue of women going to the
masjid and conclude that women in the West should be encouraged togo
to the masjid, particularly if that is the only way for them to seek
knowledge and enjoy the companionship of their Muslim sisters. In a
rigorously authenticated tradition, the Prophet, Allah bless him and
give him peace said, "Do not prohibit the female slaves of Allah from
going to the mosques of Allah. When the wife of one of you asks for
permission to go to the mosque, she should not be refused this
permission." (Bukhari and Muslim)

Islamic etiquette related to gatherings – I

We must pay attention to our gatherings and meetings, because they
have a major effect on us. If one were to take a quicklook at Muslim
gatherings today, he would find that it is nothing but a means of
people occupying themselves with life, each according to his interest
or field of work; this is aside from indulging in some prohibitions
and major sins, in some cases.
These get-togethers, which people have engrossed themselves in, have
hardened their hearts, against which Allaahhas warned us, when He
Almighty Says what means:"Thenwoe to those whose hearts are hardened
against the remembrance of Allaah. Those are in manifest error."]Quran
39: 22[ Indeed, this admonition necessitates that we determine the
reasons behind hard hearts.
Was this the way the Companionsconducted themselves in their
gatherings? Were these the topics and matters they engaged themselves
with? Surely not. We are not talking about declaring these assemblies
and the conversations that flow in them as prohibited, because people
may meet and talk to each other about different topics – this is fine
and permissible, because Islam did not forbid it. Rather, what we are
talking about is making this one's only concern and addressing nothing
else but life and worldly issues in them, tothe extent that not a
single verse or narration from the Prophetor even the recommended
supplication to conclude gatherings with, is heard being recited; in
effect, there is no mention of Allaah at all.
Undeniably, this is a dangerous and dispraised situation, given that
all said things are permissible. Yet, how will the case be if the
meetings involve prohibitions? How will it be if people are indulged
in major sins, such as backbiting and talebearing? Allaah Says what
means:"And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to
eat the flesh of his brother when dead?"]Quran 49: 12[ How will the
case be if the gatherings incorporate lies and mockery of others,
while the Prophetadvised:"Do not falsely accuse each other,"which is
done by lying and slandering, as the scholars commented.
Moreover, how will it be if the assemblies contain scorning the slaves
of Allaah and abusing one another, when Allaah Says what means:"O you
who have believed,let not a people ridicule]another[ people … And do
not insult one another and do not call each other by ]offensive[
nicknames. Wretched is the name]i.e. mention[ of disobedience after
]one's[ faith."]Quran 49: 11[ How will it be if the gatherings today
are full of sinning and insulting, although the Prophetsaid:"Two
persons insulting one another are like two devils who lie and fling
false accusations at eachother."
Indeed, how will the case be if the gatherings today are those
ofhypocrisy, flattery and formality, while the Prophetinformed us that
praising someone in his face is like beheading him, and, Allaah Says
what means:"…So do not claim yourselves to be pure…."]Quran 53: 32[
How will it be if some of the get-togethers today embrace ridicule of
Islam and those who are devoted to it and belittlement of the
Prophetscorning his way of dressing, character and manners?
Additionally, how will it be if these gatherings involve disparaging
Islamic rulings and laws? A person present in them may say: "You want
to take us back to dealing according to some law that declares: an eye
for an eye and a tooth for a tooth?" Verily, Allaah is glorified and
exalted above what they say.
Many of the Muslim assemblies today contain mockery of people,whether
concerning the way theytalk or a habit of theirs or the way they walk.
The Prophetsaid to'Aa'ishah:"I do not like that I should imitate
someone even if I am paid in return such-and-such )an amountof
money('',meaning that hewould never mention a person or mimic him as a
way of ridicule.The story behind this statement is that`Aa'ishahsaid
to the Prophet: "Such-and-such a thing of Safiyyahis sufficient for
you'', implying that she was a short woman. Thereupon, heremarked:"You
have indeed uttered a word which would pollute the )whole( sea if it
were mixed in it.''In view of this, how is the case with today's
expressions and statements which people exchange during their
gatherings?
Today, many of the Muslim assemblies involve prohibitions. For
example, one would find thattwo people converse privately in the
presence of a third, while the Messenger of Allaahcounseled:"When
three of you are together, two of you must not whisper )to each
other(, ignoring the third";then, herationalized that by adding:"…lest
the third should be grieved.''Despite this, secret conversations are a
disease that has permeated today's gatherings.
The way people sit in their gathering also includes prohibitions; for
instance, some men do not cover their'Awrah)i.e., parts of the body
which are illegal to be exposed to others Islamically, namely from the
navel down to the knees( or do not wear sufficient clothing under
their garment so that when one of them moves his thigh, it becomes
exposed. Yet, when reasoned with one of them)regarding this(, he would
reply: "Are we women that we need to cover up and have certain parts
as an 'Awrah?" This is in spite of the fact that the Prophetsaid to
one of the Companions:"OJurhud! Cover your thigh, for it is a part of
the 'Awrah."
Even in the way people eat and drink, one will come across prohibited
acts, such as eating and drinking using the left hand or neglecting to
mention the name of Allaah before starting. Furthermore, the way they
talk and argue also contradicts Islamic teachings, for they may raise
their voice, be harsh in theirtone of speech, interrupt each other and
youngsters may precede the elders in talking.
It is worthy to note that the meetings during which the nameof Allaah
is not mentioned or remembered, nor is the Prophetmentioned or
exalted; such meetings are subject to the warning in which the
Prophetsaid:"Whenever a group of people sit in a gathering in
whichthey do not remember Allaah, theExalted, nor supplicate for the
elevation of the rank of their Prophet, such a gathering will be a
cause of regret for them on the Day of Resurrection."In another
authentic narration, hewent on to say:"…even if they enter
Paradise",because they will perceive the reward they missed out on due
to not bringing up the name of Allaah and remembering Him, or exalting
the mention of the Prophetintheir gatherings in this life.
The Prophetalso said:"Those people who get up from a gathering in
which they have not remembered Allaah, will conclude it as if it has a
foul odor similar to that of a rotten carcassof a donkey and it will
be a cause of remorse for them )on the Day of Judgment(."Bring to mind
your gatherings to see whether or not the name of Allaah was brought
up and remembered andthe Prophetwas mentioned and exalted in them.

Islamic etiquette related to gatherings – II

Verily, every get-together must include mentioning and thinking of
Allaah; do you hear a verse from the Quran, a Prophetic Hadeeth, a
religious advice, discussion revolving around an Islamic ruling or an
Islamic reminder in today's gatherings except for those upon whom
Allaah has mercy?
We must pay attention to this dangerous, negative trend – Muslims,
these days, actually fool themselves by hanging some Quranic verses or
Prophetic sayings on the walls. Some of these frames of verses are
nicely written and well-decorated and contain a command from Allaah to
His slaves to be pious or reminding that Allaah is All-Knowing of all
that they do and of all things, but they contradict what it says.
Likewise, some might hang a frame which displays the recommended
supplication to conclude gatherings with, yet they never utter it.
To what a low condition have we fallen nowadays to put up a verseor a
Hadeeth, then oppose it in our actions and words? What, then, is the
benefit behind hanging it? This is the reason why some scholars have
prohibited the hanging of verses and Prophetic Hadeeth on the wall, as
it is a way of mocking what is quoted in these frames.
Due to all this, some wise Muslims avoid gatherings of people or
conversing with them, saying: "Why should we sit with people when this
is their situation?" These people are doing the proper thing provided
that they are not capable of changing what goes on during these
meetings, because one must shun the places of sin. Alternatively, our
gatherings should become places to think of Allaah and bring up His
Name, in order to attain the promised reward that the Prophetspoke
about when he said:"Whenever a group of people gather and remember
Allaah and mention Him, then they separate,it will be said to them:
'You have beenforgiven'".Healso said:"Whenever a group of people
congregate and think of Allaah and talk about Him, then they disperse,
it will be said to them: 'Allaah has forgiven your sins andreplaced
your bad deeds with good ones'."These narrations arenot limited to
study circles in the mosque; rather they are applicable in the case of
any meeting.
One is delighted and proud to seesome people, when they sit in a
gathering, they start asking a person of knowledge amongst them,
things like: "Talk to us about such-and-such a verse. What does it
mean?", "What is the story of so-and-so Prophet?", and: "What is the
ruling regarding this issue?" These are the people whom the Prophethas
described as keys for good )i.e., initiators(, who prevent evil. Many
of them might not have knowledge, but they arekeen to learn and
increase their knowledge; they are dedicated tomaking their gatherings
righteous, by mentioning during them that which pleases Allaah. We ask
Allaah to increase the number of such people.
Assemblies have diseases that need to be rectified, so we must know
the etiquettes of gatherings and the manner in which to rectify them,
in order toattain the sought type of gathering.
The Prophethas mentioned many etiquettes, such as the following:
· Hesaid:"It is not permissible for a man to separatebetween two men
when sitting, except after their permission."Thus, one may not enter
into a meeting and sit in the middle of two people who are next to
each other unless he seeks their consent, or else, he should sit in
any other spot he can find.
· It is the Sunnah that one sits in the furthest place he can reach
and find an open spot in, and he may not make someone leave his place
or seat, so as to sit there. The Prophetsaid:"It is not allowed for a
man to get anotherman up from his spot to sit in hisplace."
· Sometimes one might be invited to a private get-together, in which
the conversations may consist of secrets of the host; it isnot
permissible for him to reveal their secrets or those of their family,
because the Prophetsaid:"Secrets )or personal issues( discussed during
gatherings must be kept concealed."
· Heis reported to have said:"The best assemblies are those which are
spacious."Hence, it is recommended to make the assembly area sizeable
for the guests as a way of expressing generosity, if a person can
afford to do so.
· Making room for each other during gatherings is a desirable thing,
especially when the place becomes full. Allaah Says what means:"O you
who have believed,when you are told, "Space yourselves" in assemblies,
then make space; Allaah will make space for you )i.e., in His mercy,
inParadise, or in everything good(."]Quran 58: 11[ When one's heart
has place for his brother, then hisgatherings will automatically
become spacious and people will make room for one another; otherwise,
if one does not harborsuch feelings towards his brother, he will not
make room for him, and even if he does makeroom, one will not be doing
it willingly.
· Saying the designated supplication before leaving an assembly.
Hesaid:"Whoever sits in a gathering and indulges in useless talk, but
before gettingup, he supplicates: 'Subhaanaka Allaahumma wa bi
hamdika, ash-hadu allaa ilaaha illaa Anta, astaghfiruka wa atoobu
ilayka )O Allaah! You are free from every imperfection; praise be to
You. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except You; I ask
YourPardon and turn to You in repentance(,' he will be forgiven)for
the sins he may have intentionally or unintentionally committed( in
thatassembly."
What can people want more thanthis? Islam gives one the chance to make
amends and grants him the opportunity to be forgiven for the sins
which he may have committed, by uttering these fewwords. Truly, the
forgiveness of Allaah is great, as He Says what means:"…Allaah is the
possessor of great bounty."]Quran: 62:4[
· It is narrated that whenever the Prophetmet one of his
Companionshe would not leave the meeting until the other man would be
the one who got up and left; and, when hemet a man who greeted him by
taking his hand, hewould give him his hand and not take it away until
the man himself let goof it.
· The Prophetwas very polite and courteous. Whenever his guest would
get up to leave, hewould get up with him to seehim off and shake his
hand. When, in a gathering, if a man wanted to whisper into his ear,
hewould listen until he finished what he desired to say. Undoubtedly,
hewas exceptionally well-mannered.
This is how our Prophetwas, the example whom we must follow and emulate.

The Hellfire described

Allaah has warned us in His Book about the Hellfire and has informedus
about the different types of punishments it will have, to the extent
that one's heart splits due to fear. Allaah has informed us about its
torment due to His mercy,so that we would therefore fear and avoid it.
Listen to the verses in the Book of Allaah that address the
description of the Hellfire, perhaps it will be a reminder for you;
perhaps they will cause you to repent before it is too late - before
punishment strikes suddenly and you find nobody to support or aid you.
The Hellfire contains chains, as Allaah Says what means:"Indeed,
Wehave prepared for the disbelievers chains and shackles and a
blaze."]Quran 76: 4[
Allaah also Says what means:"…Indeed, We have prepared for the
wrongdoers a fire whosewalls will surround them.And if they call for
relief, they will be relieved withwater like murky oil, which scalds
]their[ faces.Wretched is the drink, and evil is the resting
place."]Quran 18: 29[
Allaah also Says what means:"And those who disbelieved will be
drivento Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are
opened and its keepers will say: 'Did there not come to you messengers
from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning
you of the meeting of this Day of yours?' They will say: 'Yes, but the
word ]i.e. decree[ of punishment has come into effect upon the
disbelievers.'"]Quran 39: 71[
Allaah also Says what means:"And for those who disbelieved in their
Lord is the punishment ofHell, and wretched is the destination. When
they are thrown into it, they hear from it a ]dreadful[ inhaling while
it boils up.It almost bursts with rage. Every time a company is thrown
into it, its keepers ask them: 'Did there not come to you a
warner?'"]Quran 67: 6-8[
In the Hellfire, punishment will be from all directions; Allaah Says
what means:"On the Day the punishment will cover them from above them
and from below their feet and it is said, 'Taste]the result of[
whatyou used to do.'"]Quran 29: 55[
Allaah also Says what means:"And the companions of the left— what are
the companionsof the left? ]They will be[ in scorching fire and
scalding water. And a shade of black smoke; neither cool nor
beneficial."]Quran 56: 41-44[
One form of punishment in the Hellfire is that people will be dragged
on their faces in it, as Allaah Says what means:"Indeed, the criminals
are in error and madness.The Day they are draggedinto the Fire on
their faces ]it will be said[, 'Taste the touch of Saqar)i.e.,
Hell(.'"]Quran 54: 47-48[
People are the fuel by which the Hellfire is heated and flamed; Allaah
Says what means:"O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your
families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which
are]appointed[ angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allaah in
what Hecommands them but do what they are commanded."]Quran 66: 6[
Allaah also Says what means:"Indeed, it throws sparks ]as huge[ as a
fortress, as if they were yellowish ]black[ camels."]Quran 77: 32-33[
In the Hellfire, people's clothes will be made of fire; Allaah Says
what means:"And you will see the criminals that Day bound together in
shackles. Their garments of liquid pitch and their faces covered by
the Fire."]Quran 14: 49-50[
The punishment in the Hellfire is continuous; Allaah Says what
means:"Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses — We will drive them
into a fire. Every time their skins are roasted through We will
replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment.
Indeed, Allaah is ever Exalted in Might and Wise."]Quran 4: 56[
Regarding people's drinkand food in Hell, Allaah Says what means:"Then
indeed you, O those astray ]who are[ deniers, will be eating from
trees of Zaqqoom. And filling with it your bellies. And drinking on
top of it from scalding water. And will drink as the drinkingof
thirsty camels. That is their accommodation on the Day of
Recompense."]Quran 56: 51-56[
Allaah also Says what means:"…And he will be given a drink of purulent
water. He will gulp it but will hardly ]be able to[ swallow it. And
death willcome to him from everywhere, but he is notto die. And before
him is a massive punishment."]Quran 14: 16-17[
Finally, the punishment of the Hellfire is never reduced, nor will its
dwellers ever die, as Allaah Says what means:"Indeed, the criminals
will be in the punishmentof Hell, abiding eternally. It will not be
allowed to subside for them, and they, therein, are in despair. And We
did not wrong them, but it was they who were the wrongdoers. And they
will call, 'O Maalik let your Lord put an end to us!" He will say,
"Indeed, you will remain.'"]Quran 43: 74-77[
There are also many prophetic narrations describing and addressing the
Hellfire; the following are some of them:
·Ibn Mas'oodreported: "The Messengerof Allaahsaid:'Hell willbe brought
on that Day)i.e., the Day of Resurrection( with seventy bridles; and
with every bridle will be seventy thousand angels, pulling
it.'"]Muslim[
·Abu Hurayrahreported: "The Prophetsaid:'Your fire )in this world( is
a part of the seventy parts of the fire ofHell',)meaning in its heat(.
It was said: 'O Messenger of Allaah! It would have been
enough,)meaning, if it was only as hot as the fire in this world, then
that would have been enough as a deterrent(.' Hesaid:'It was increased
sixty-nine times )or multiples(, each multiple being of the same
)degree( of heat.'"]Al-Bukhaari & Muslim[
·Abu Hurayrahreported: "We were oncein the company of the Messenger of
Allaahwhen we heard a loud bang. Thereupon, the Messenger of
Allaahasked:'Do you know what this )sound( is?' Wereplied: 'Allaah and
His Messenger know best.' Hesaid:'It is a stone which was thrown into
Hell seventy years ago, and has only now reached its bottom.'"]Muslim[
·Ibn 'Abbaasnarrated that the Prophetsaid:"If a drop from the tree of
Zaqqoom )i.e., a tree of Hell( were to fall onto this world, it
would)pollute and( destroy the lives of all the people of this
world."]An-Nasaa'i & At-Tirmithi[
·An-Nu'maan ibn Al-Basheernarrated that the Prophetsaid:"The least in
punishment among the people of Hellfire is one whose sandals or
shoelaces will be of fire, which will make his brain boil as a pot of
water boils. He willnot think that there is anyone being punished more
than him, but in fact, he will be the least in
punishment."]Al-Bukhaari & Muslim[
·Anas ibn Maalikreported: "The Messengerof Allaahsaid:'Among the
inmates of Hell will be a person who had led a very luxurious life in
this world will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and dipped in
the Hellfire, he will then be asked: `O son of Aadam! Did you ever
experience any comfort? Did you )ever( happen to have any luxury?' He
will reply: `I swear by Allaah, no my Lord.' Then, another person, who
hadexperienced extreme misery in the life of this world, will be
dipped inParadise. He will then be asked: `O son of Aadam! Did you
ever experience any misery? Did you ever encounter difficulty?' He
will reply: 'I swear by Allaah, no my Lord, I neither experienced
misery nor passed through hardship.'"]Muslim[ This means that the
dwellers of the Hellfire will completely forget any pleasures
theyenjoyed in this life, and the dwellers ofParadisewill completely
forget any type of hardship theyfaced in this life.
·Anas ibn Maalikreported: "The Messengerof Allaahsaid:"A man from the
dwellers of Hell will be asked on the Day of Resurrection: `If you
possessed all that is on earth, would you ransom yourself for it?` He
will reply: `Yes.` Then, he will be told )i.e., by Allaah(: `I
requested something far easier than this from you:I had taken a pledge
from you not to associatepartners with Me, but you insisted on
associating with Me.'"]Al-Bukhaari & Muslim[
·Jaabir ibn 'Abdullaahreported: "The Prophetsaid:'Allaah has taken a
pledge upon Himself to make everyone who consumes intoxicants drink
from Teenatul-Khabaal.'Hewas asked: `O Messenger of Allaah! What is
Teenatul-Khabaal?' Hereplied:'It is )a liquid( made of the sweat and
pus of the dwellers of Hell.'"]Muslim[
·The Prophetsaid:"The Jews and the Christians will be asked: `What do
you need?` They will reply: `Our Lord!We are thirsty so give us water
to drink.` They willthen be told: `Come along,' until they reach Hell,
which will be destroying itself, )i.e., some parts of it will eat up
others due to its intense heat( and they will be thrown into
it."]Al-Bukhaari & Muslim[ Imaam Al-Hasancommented on this narration
saying: "What do you think the condition will be of thosewho stood for
fifty thousand years without eating or drinking, until they almost
died of thirst and their stomachs burnt from hunger, and who were then
taken to Hell and given boiling drinks in red hot pots )to drink(?"
·Imaam Ibn Al-Jawzidescribed Hell saying: "It is an abode in which its
dwellers are deprived of joy; their faces are dark; they are beaten
with hooks that are stronger than steel; upon it are angels who are
harsh and tough; )the inhabitants of Hell( will be lying on fire and
drinking boiling water; they will be continuously in grief; they will
never leave Hell because it will be their eternal abode; they will cry
for having wasted their youth; their crying will be continuousand
increasing; their Creator is angered by them; they will be exposed in
front of others; what they collected in life will not benefit them;
they will see the evil consequencesof their sins; life will seem as if
it was a dream to them; their bodies will burn, but whenever they are
burnt out, they will be returned to their original form in order
forthem to taste more torture."