What Is the Distance a Woman Can Journey Alone?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaikum,

Is it permissible for a woman to travel alone to visit her grandmother in an hospital which is 30 km from her home?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that this message finds you well, insha’Allah.

Yes, you can visit her provided it is safe to do so.

According to the Hanafi school, it is permitted for a woman to journey up to the travel distance (approximately 48 miles) without a member of her unmarriageable kin (mahram).

Travelling beyond this is impermissible in view of the words of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace), “A woman should not travel for three days [= travel distance] without a close male relative.” [Bukhari]

Please also see: The Definition of a Resident Person & Traveler and: Can a Women Travel Alone for Islamic Educational Purposes? [Maliki School]

And Allah alone knows best.

wassalam,
Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani