New Muslim woman needs to study abroad without a Mahram
4-5-2009 | IslamWeb
Question:
Assalamu aleikum! I am a student from Kazakhstan. I entered University of Malaysia. Although I had read hadeeth narrated by Bukhari that it isn't permissable to travel without mahram, I didn't realize importance of this prohibition. I just read this without understanding. I didn't know that it is haram without any exception (because it isn’t necessary education). Only now I really realize it, almost every day I find many fatwas that decide that it is HARAM. And this word of 5 letters set me changing my mind about studying here. Moreover, although it is Muslim country, this University is mixed. My studies are beginning in May. So I have time to make right decision. My parents haven’t converted to Islam yet. My father thinks I’m a fanatic. They neglect our call to Islam, and for them fact that their daughter is studying abroad is like a boast. I hope you understand me. If I say them about my refuse studying here they will… I don’t know… therewith they waste a lot of money for me. And is it acceptable if cancel my studies and come back to Kazakhstan for the sake of Allah Subhanahu ua Ta’ala? Or it is already late to change anything because I have already left my country without mahram, and it is better to obey my parents? Please, help me, I truly recognize my mistake now, and I don’t want to go on neglecting Allah’s order. What should I do? I am in Malaysia now. Dzhazakum Allahu khair.
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
First of all, may Allaah reward you for being keen on observing the religious rulings, so may Allaah increase your piety and guidance, and enable your parents to embrace Islam. We advise you to continue calling them to Islam and continue to be kind and dutiful to them hoping that Allaah will open their heart to Eemaan (faith). For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 85180 and 83566.
You should know that it is not a condition to have a Mahram in order to reside in the place of your residence, but you are obliged to reside in a safe place.
As regards studying in a mixed university, then this is not permissible if the two sexes are not separated, but if the two sexes are separated, then this is permissible. If we presume that the two sexes are not separated and you are in need of this study as it might be understood from the question, then if you are able to avoid the reasons of temptation and be present in the university according to the need only, and then you leave the university, we hope that it is permissible to continue the studies.
However, it is not permissible to travel without a Mahram. Therefore, you may be patient until you finish the studies and then you may travel afterwards. If you are in need for the studies, then some scholars 
are of the view that a safe company serves as a Mahram for a woman. So, you may travel on a safe route in a direct trip, and you continue your studies until you finish. Nonetheless, if you are able to marry a Muslim man in that country, then this might be better so that he would help you and accompany you when you travel to your family.
Finally, it should be noted here that it is permissible for a Muslim woman to propose herself to a pious man in order to marry him. In this regard, you may seek the help of some pious female friends of yours. In case you do not have a Muslim guardian to marry you off, then you may appoint a Muslim man to marry you off; for more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 88488 and 82471.
Allaah Knows best.