What is the ruling on a niqabi girl studying at a mixed-gender university 27 kilometers away from her home, taking an hour to reach, and passing through two Israeli checkpoints where she may be forced to uncover her niqab to a female soldier, given that she lives in a committed university dormitory, studies on a scholarship, cannot transfer to another university, and there is no non-mixed alternative with a good academic level? And what is the ruling on her riding alone with a non-mahram driver for a short distance on a crowded road? And does the impermissibility cease if she is accompanied by sisters, and what is the minimum number of companions that would permit that?

A woman being in seclusion with a man who is a stranger to her is forbidden by Islamic law, based on the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "No man should be in seclusion with a woman unless a mahram (definition) is with her." Accordingly, a girl riding alone with a taxi or bus driver is considered unlawful seclusion (khalwa (definition) muharrama). However, if another woman is present with her, the seclusion is negated.

Regarding a woman's travel, scholars have agreed on the prohibition of a woman traveling without a mahram, based on the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "It is not lawful for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to travel a distance of a day and a night except with a mahram." Scholars have differed on defining the travel distance that is prohibited for a woman without a mahram. The most authoritative opinion is that any distance considered "travel," such as the 27 kilometers mentioned, prohibits a woman from traveling it without a mahram.