Fatwa: 553
Category: fatwas about woman
The ruling regarding the fact that a woman learns driving
The question:
What is the ruling concerning the fact that a woman learns driving?
The answer:
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon whom Allah sent as a mercy to the Worlds, upon his Family, his Companions and his Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.
Mounting and driving a riding animal was a permissible thing for men and women during the era of the First Generation(1). The woman used to ride the donkey and direct it where she wanted, and “Women are the twin halves of men”(2) as regards rulings.
However, if a woman is in a pressing need to learn driving, she should, in this case, learn it through another woman if there is any, as it is safer for her faith and honor.
In case she does not find a woman, there should be her husband with her or someone of her Mahârim(3) or a sister, in order that there will be no Khulwa (4) and in order to avoid its negative consequences, in accordance with the Prophet’s صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم saying: “No man is ever alone with a woman (Khulwa) but Satan is the third one with them.”(5)
The perfect knowledge belongs to Allah عزَّ وجلَّ. Our last prayer is all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon our Prophet صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم, his Family, his Companions and Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.
Algiers, Rabî` Ath-Thâni 7th, 1427H.
Corresponding to: May 6th, 2006.
(1) The generation of the Prophet Muhammad صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم.
(2) Reported by Abu Dâwûd, chapter of “Purification”, concerning a man who finds his clothes stained with semen after a wet dream (hadith 236), At-Tirmidhi, chapter of “Chapters of purification” concerning someone who wakes up, sees his colthes wet but does not remember that he had a wet dream (hadith 113), Ahmad (hadith 25663), Abu Ya`la (hadith 4694) and Al-Bayhaqi (hadith 818), on the authority of `Aisha رضي الله عنها. this hadith has been judged as authentic by Al-Albâni in “Sahîh Al-Jâmi`” (hadith 2333) and in “As-Silsila As-Sahîha” (2863).
(3) Mahram (plural: Mahârim): a male whom a woman can never marry because of close relationship (e.g. a brother, a father, an uncle etc.); or her own husband.
(4) Khulwa: The fact that a woman is with an unrelated man in the same place without other people.
(5) Reported by At-Tirmidhi, chapter of “Trials” (hadith 2165), Ibn Hibbân, chapter of “Biographies”, concerning obeying the rulers (hadith 4576), Al-Hâkim in “Al-Mustadrak” chapter of “Knowledge” (hadith 390), Ahmad (hadith 115), Abu `Ayla in his “Musnad” (hadith 141), Al-Bazzâr in his “Musnad” (hadith 167) and Al-Bayhaqi in “As-Sunan Al-Kubra” (13808) on the authority of `Umar Ibn Al-Khattâb رضي الله عنه. This hadith has been judged as authentic by Ahmad Shâkir in his “Recension of Ahmad’s Musnad” (1/98), by Al-Albâni in “Al-Irwâ'”(6/215) and in “As-Silsila As-Sahîha” (hadith 430).