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Is it permissible for a Muslim woman to migrate without a mahram to the lands of the Two Holy Mosques, while leaving her mother in a non-Muslim country, knowing that the mother rejects her migration and her prayers?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The general rule is that a woman is not permitted to travel except with a mahram. However, scholars have made an exception for obligatory travel, such as emigration from a land of disbelief if it becomes necessary for the woman. If a woman is unable to freely practice the rituals of Islam in the country where she lives, or fears for her religion and herself from fitan (trials/temptations), then it is obligatory for her to emigrate to a country safe for her religion and herself. Prioritizing the interests of religion takes precedence over obedience to parents. However, if she is able to observe the rituals of Islam and lives in complete safety, then emigration in this case is mustahabb (recommended) but not obligatory. In such a case, she is not permitted to travel without a mahram or her mother's permission, because honoring parents is an individual obligation (fard ayn) that takes precedence over recommended acts. She should treat her mother kindly and gently.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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