Question:
What is our response to Hadeeth of Adi b. Haatim below:
It has been narrated through ‘Adiy Ibn Hatem (may God be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told him, “And if you live a long life, you will surely see women traveling from Hira till they circumambulate the Ka’bah, fearing no one except God” (Bukhari and others). Imam Ahmed’s report of the hadith includes: “By He in whose hands is my soul, verily God will bring this matter [Islam] into completion till women travel from Hira and circumambulate the Ka’bah without being accompanied by anyone.”
From this hadith, some scholars have derived the permissibility of a woman traveling alone if her safety is guaranteed.
Is it correct?
If not, then kindly explain in detail for the benefit of the Ummah.
Answer:
This Hadith does not prove the permissibility of travelling without a mahram for the distance of safar. There are many explicit Ahadeeth regarding this matter.
لا يحل لامرأة تؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر أن تسافر مسيرة يوم وليلة إلا ومعها ذو محرم
“It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to travel for more than one day’s distance without a Mahram.”
Therefore, Allamah ‘Ayni R.A has mentioned that the above Hadith of Hazrat ‘Adi bin Haatim proves the وجود (existence) of the action ,it does not prove permissibility”. The hadith also points towards the domination of Islam.
And Allah Ta`ala knows best
Answered by: Mufti Yacoob Vally