Women traveling without a mahram: ruling for study/work

It should be clearly understood that in Islamic law, a woman is not permitted to travel a distance of 78 kilometers or more without a mahram or husband. Even if all the conditions that make Hajj obligatory are fulfilled, but no mahram or husband is available to accompany her, then Hajj does not become obligatory upon her. Therefore, it is even less likely that traveling without a mahram for the purpose of education would be permitted.

Based on this principle, your desire to follow the religion is commendable. However, according to this view, it is better for you to avoid traveling without a mahram. Instead, you may complete your education within your own country while observing the prescribed Islamic guidelines, or pursue it after marriage by traveling with a mahram or husband.

Therefore, it would be appropriate for you to consider your circumstances, needs, and available facilities, and seek guidance from a qualified scholar or a recognized fatwa authority. At the same time, try to take your family into confidence with wisdom and a gentle approach. If pursuing education or employment abroad is genuinely an important need for you and all arrangements are safe and reliable, then according to contemporary scholarly opinions there is room for permissibility. However, from the perspective of caution, it is preferable wherever possible to take this step with a mahram or with the support and supervision of your family, so that a balance is maintained between religious considerations and family harmony.