Studying Abroad without a Mahrum

[bamalli]

Question:

A woman wishes to study in Makkah bearing in mind that her father bought her there and then left her, so is it allowed for her to stay there on her own and seek knowledge, knowing that there are locations there which are particular for the women to reside in?
Answer:

Only if it be that she does not mix with strange men and that when she finishes her studies that her father returns for her to take her back, as it is impermissible for the woman to travel except with a mahrum. So she should not freely mix with strange men and should study The Book of Allaah, and the Sunnah of Allaahs Messenger (Sallaallaahu 'alaihi wa ?alaa aalihi wa sallam) and I hope that there is nothing wrong that due to the fact that what is prohibited is solitude/seclusion, and what is prohibited also is that one travels on a journey without a mahrum.

Shaykh Muqbil bin Haadee
Ghaaratul Ashritah, volume 2, page 220-221