Fatwa Mar'ah
Translation: Tawfeeq Oke Aboo Rushda
Question: Is it allowed for a lady to take a course at a university outside her residential city, knowing that she is going to stay in a safe area inside the university and her mahram can only stay with her for a week after which he will leave the city?
Answer:
There are many things attached to the issue and I prefer that she studies in her residential city and that she shouldn't go outside her city. If a woman takes up permanent residence in another place and not a place of sojourn (a temporary residence as a lodger); in that instance it is permissible for her to stay alone without Mahram.
But if she remains in another city as a traveler then she's a traveler and it is compulsory that a mahram stays with her.
Also, if she is regarded by convention of the people - and she begins to complete her salaah and not shortening- that she is [now] a resident in the city while the city is peaceful, then it is not compulsory that a mahram stays with her.
Sheikh was asked, "is it compulsory that the mahram stays with her in the city and is it forbidden for him to travel except with his wife?"
Answer: No. That is why the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "it is not allowed for a woman to fast while her husband is around except with his permission."
If he's away, then she can fast without his permission because he's away. If this lady left [her city] and she resides in the new city, she can also fast [without his permission] (but it is compulsory her mahram is with her when travelling between the cities.)
And Allaah knows best.
Majlisu Fataawaa Al-jum'ah
18-2-1440 (26-10-2018)
The link to the verdict
http://meshhoor.com/fatwa/2517/
