Ruling on women going out at night? Please can I have some advice.

format_quote Originally Posted by hannaluvv

I'm a Muslim women living in the UK and want to know is it haram for a Muslim woman to go out at night of she isn't going to do anything haram or anything which will expose her to sins and temptations?
In the Arab culture I feel like women are oppressed a lot however when it comes to religion they are not.
My parents have beliefs such as a women shouldn't leave the house often or at night because of what "other people will think". For instance, a friend of mine visited my family's house for iftar one day she came during day time and we were together throughout the day we made iftar together etc after iftar we relaxed done the dishes and whatnot and my aunt dropped her off at her home around 1am. Her mom was mad at the fact that she was at another person's house for long and felt as if she was being a burden to my family because she was brought home in the car. This is how my parents would react too if I was to go out an come home late even if I wasn't doing anything wrong. My friends cousin whose a guy said she shouldn't stay out till late as it's haram??? I just want to know if this is true and if there is any hadeeth as evidence for this? Advice would be appreciated.
May Allah accept your fasts this Ramadan and grant your duaa's in shaa Allah.

I have yet to find clear cut hadiths on this matter, Sister.

But what I remember is Umar :RA: discouraged (not prohibit ) women (even mother of believers ) going in the dark EVEN to the masjid since he was afraid of fitna though Prophet said not to stop them IF they want to visit a Masjid though in one case where there was a husband who was very jealous of his wife and his wife was INSTRUCTED by Nabi to pray ''at the inner most part of the home '' and she did so untill her death, which shows HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE that Prophet gave to ''marital relationships'' more than attending The Masjid jamat prayer which is most stressed in hadith.

But in matter of basic needs of the family the women are allowed to go out for it and return BUT TO AVOID vain loitering alone causing fitna

format_quote Originally Posted by hannaluvv

I'm a Muslim women living in the UK and want to know is it haram for a Muslim woman to go out at night of she isn't going to do anything haram or anything which will expose her to sins and temptations?
In the Arab culture I feel like women are oppressed a lot however when it comes to religion they are not.
My parents have beliefs such as a women shouldn't leave the house often or at night because of what "other people will think". For instance, a friend of mine visited my family's house for iftar one day she came during day time and we were together throughout the day we made iftar together etc after iftar we relaxed done the dishes and whatnot and my aunt dropped her off at her home around 1am. Her mom was mad at the fact that she was at another person's house for long and felt as if she was being a burden to my family because she was brought home in the car. This is how my parents would react too if I was to go out an come home late even if I wasn't doing anything wrong. My friends cousin whose a guy said she shouldn't stay out till late as it's haram??? I just want to know if this is true and if there is any hadeeth as evidence for this? Advice would be appreciated.
May Allah accept your fasts this Ramadan and grant your duaa's in shaa Allah.

Asalaamu Alaikum,

Regarding your question, Islam protects women and the honor of women. For this reason Almighty Allah says in the Qur'an:

“And abide quietly in your homes, and do not flaunt your charms as they used to flaunt them in the old days of pagan ignorance; and be constant in prayer, and render the purifying dues, and pay heed unto Allah and His Messenger: for Allah only wants to remove from you all that might be loathsome, O you members of the [Prophet’s] household, and to purify you to utmost purity.” [33:33]

This does not mean that women should remain imprisoned in the home and not go out as women can go about their needs in the day like work, shopping, medical needs, pursuit of knowledge, visit family, visit sick, friends, and anything else that is permissible within the boundaries of Islam etc. Women can also attend the Masjid if the appropriate facilities are available and the route there and back is safe, although it is still recommended for women to pray at home.

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from the Masjids of Allah, but have them go out without wearing fragrance“.

“…even though their houses are better for them” [Abu Dawood: 567]

Women are also encouraged to go to the Eid prayer. With regards to travelling distances then women must travel with a Mahram as one is far more vulnerable when travelling than when in ones own residency. These safeguards are put in place for a good reason and it is simply to protect women.

It is a well known fact that the night time is a far more dangerous time than during the day and daylight hours, as far more crime is committed at night than during the day. Especially crimes like rape and abduction. It is even dangerous for men let alone women.

Also with the increasing dangers for Muslims now in non Muslim countries like UK and US for example where many sisters are being increasingly attacked especially in the aftermath of a "terrorist attack", then it is more important than ever before for women to be very careful when going out. Just the other day in the US one of our sisters who was brutally killed when she was out with friends after Taraweeh going to get something to eat at night. And there are many more examples too hence one should take heed.

So it's not about having "bad" intentions when going out but the fact is that its an increasingly dangerous world out there for women and now particularly for Muslim women with the rise of "Islamaphobia".

So I do think your family are justified in emphasizing that you should not go out at night unnecessarily especially due to the potential dangers. Obviously an exception would be if it is an emergency or out of absolute necessity.

With regards to it being "haraam or not" then according to a scholarly fatwa on Islamweb about women going out at night:

..if the Muslim woman went out of her home, if the need arises or for a necessity, she should firmly adhere to the due Islamic principles and obligations such as complying with her due Hijab and shunning intermixing with men.

For the woman to stay out at night, she should adhere to the above mentioned conditions, plus the condition that she would be safe from temptation or harm. Indeed, were she to fear temptation or harm, then it would be impermissible for her to go out or stay out late. It is well-known that the Islamic Sharee‘ah fosters the principle of elimination of evils and minimizing them as much as possible and bringing about benefits and multiplying them; hence, Muslim women are banned from traveling without a Mahram-man and from staying in seclusion with a non-Mahram man for the purpose of eliminating and shunning any potential temptation. Therefore, if staying outside the home may bring about harm on the Muslim woman, then it is impermissible for her to do so, just as it is impermissible for her to travel without a Mahram man or stay in seclusion with a non-Mahram man.

Allaah Knows best.

Source:http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/in...twaId&Id=70769

http://daruliftabirmingham.co.uk/is-...nful-in-islam/