Question #037
Is it allowed for a Muslim woman to become an astronaut and travel to space without a mahram?
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullaahi wa-barakaatuh.
It is generally impermissible for a woman to travel the distance of approximately 48 miles without a husband or Mahram. This is based on the authentic narrations which prohibit this.
Below is one narration narrated by Al Imam al Bukhari in his book:
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لاَ تُسَافِرِ الْمَرْأَةُ ثَلاَثًا إِلاَّ مَعَ ذِي مَحْرَمٍ ". تَابَعَهُ أَحْمَدُ عَنِ ابْنِ الْمُبَارَكِ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ عَنْ نَافِعٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم.
(رواه البخاري في التقصير: باب في كم يقصر الصلاة - ١٠٨٧)
Narrated Ibn `Umar:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "A woman should not travel for more than three days except with a Mahram." (2.43, Hadith number 1087, Tawq ul Najah edition)
Therefore, a Mahram is absolutely necessary for a woman to travel any distance above this.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Student - Jamiah Islamiyah Abu Bakr
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Kasim Ingar
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