Analysis reveals the implications of mahram restrictions on women's travel in modern contexts, suggesting adjustments may be necessary.
The concept of mahram for women on long-distance travel is one of the principles in Islamic teachings that aims to protect the safety, honor, and dignity of women. The hadith of the Prophet Muhammad SAW which prohibits women from traveling long distances without being accompanied by a mahram is often the main reference in understanding this law. In Islam, a mahram is an individual who has a blood relationship or legitimate marriage, such as a father, husband, or brother. This law was established to prevent potential threats to women, both physically and morally. However, with the development of the era, technology, and increasingly sophisticated transportation, questions have arisen regarding the relevance of the mahram law in a modern context. A number of contemporary scholars argue that women can travel without a mahram with certain conditions, such as security guarantees and legitimate destinations. The concept of fiqh tahawwulat, or fiqh of change, is relevant to understanding the adjustment of the mahram law in accordance with the development of the era without sacrificing the essence of Islamic teachings. This study examines how the mahram law is applied in the context of women's travel in the modern era, taking into account social, technological, and safety factors. Although there is leniency in the application of the mahram law, the principle of protecting women remains the main basis that must be maintained. Therefore, even though times continue to change, the law of mahram remains relevant by being adjusted to the social context and developments of the times.
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Sodiqin et al. (2025) studied this question.
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