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Fatwa CenterAdult children leaving parents' home to live separately
Question
Is it permissible in Islam when children reach adulthood to leave their parents' home to live alone? Please cite Qur'an and Sunnah.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
It is more appropriate for the unmarried children to live with their parents as the parents will look after them, take care of them and guide them to what benefits them in both lives, this life and the Hereafter. The children who live with their parents will have the chance to serve them, fulfill their obligations and duties towards them and be devoted to these parents. On the other hand, living strengthens affection and harmony. It also develops cooperation among the children and their parents, thus they can share each other’s happiness and sorrow. It is, however, permissible for children to live independently, away from their parents, particularly when they need to do so, for instance in order to conduct business or gain knowledge, etc. In fact when the children become mature they become responsible for themselves, so they might need to leave home to acquire knowledge, provide sustenance for themselves and earn their living expenses. But the Islamic rule concerning girls is different from that concerning boys as far as this issue in concerned. Basically the girls should stay with their father, as it is him who should take care of them and protect their honour as well as their body from being harmed as long as they are not married. Thus, they are not permitted to live outside the house of their father during their pre-marital life. If there is a dire necessity and the father allows his daughter to live outside his house, it would be permitted only if the place where she lives provides her with the necessary care, security, and if that place is free from temptations and mixing with non-Mahram men.
Allah Knows best.
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