What is the ruling on a mahram facilitating a woman's life matters, such as study, work, shopping, and travel, by analogy with the hadith enjoining a man to abandon jihad and accompany his wife for Hajj?

It is out of Islam's mercy towards women that it has mandated a mahram (unmarriageable kin) for her travels and for matters that require her to go out with a non-mahram man or for work where she needs him. This is for her protection and to safeguard her rights. A woman is permitted to go out to the mosque, the market, for study, for work, or to the hospital within her city without a mahram, as long as it does not entail travel.

Shaykh Ibn Baz said: Any journey that is considered travel, the shortest of which is half a day, a woman should not undertake without a mahram. As for normal outings within the city, or to its outskirts, a mahram is not required if she is with someone she trusts or in a safe place.

However, if there is travel involved, or if there is fear for her safety if she goes out alone, then she should not go out except with her mahram. The mahram must accompany her in matters essential to her livelihood or her return, according to his ability, such as traveling for treatment or purchasing necessary household items if the path is not safe.

For outings that are not essential, such as non-essential travel or visiting friends, the mahram is not obligated to accompany her. The mahram should consider the woman's needs and accompany her when necessary, as this is an act of ihsan (excellence) and good character, for the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "And Allah is in the aid of His servant as long as the servant is in the aid of his brother."