Can a Muslim women leave her home for recreational purposes?
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullahi wa-barakatuh.
In the enquired case, you did not specify what type of recreational purpose you were referring to. However, Allah Ta‘ālā has directed women in the Quran:
وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ (الأحزاب: ٣٣)
“And remain in your homes” (Ahzaab: 33)
The verse highlights that the standard for women is to remain in their homes. This is in keeping with shame and modesty. If a woman has a need to leave the home, she may do so observing the laws of Hijaab which is:
• She should be completely covered in a manner that her form and shape of her body are concealed.
• There should be no intermingling of sexes.
• The recreational spot should not be accommodated by any un-Islamic activities.
• Ideally, the husband or a Mahram should accompany her if it is lesser than 78 km. If it is more, the Mahram has to accompany her.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Ismaeel Bassa
Student Darul Iftaa
Durban South Africa
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net