What is the ruling on a woman leaving without a mahram?

The scholars have unanimously agreed on the prohibition of a woman traveling without a mahram if temptation (fitna) is feared, based on the saying of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: "It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to travel a day and a night's journey except with a mahram." They differed if temptation is not feared, but the preponderant opinion is prohibition due to the generality of the hadiths; because the reason for the prohibition (fear of temptation) is realized in these times. As for merely going out, it is originally permissible unless the woman fears temptation for herself.