Question:
Is a woman forbidden from speaking to her relatives that are non-mahaarim (i.e. lawful for her to marry)?
Answer:
Speaking to non-mahaarim relatives is inappropriate. If she calls him due to a necessity and there is no fitnah upon her or upon him; this is something else.
If it is due to a necessity and without fitnah (temptation to commit sin) and seclusion then this is not a problem. If It is unnecessary then it is inappropriate.
The two women spoke to Musa with shyness and manners in aid of their father [1] so there is nothing in the religion that forbids this.
Women would also speak to Abu Bakr, Umar and beforehand the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and he is like a father figure (to his nation ﷺ). If there is a need and there is no fitnah this is something else.
Likewise, a judge may need to summon a woman and hear her statement. In this case, she must speak to him.
If necessary and free of fitnah there is nothing in the religion that forbids this.
[1] وَلَمَّا وَرَدَ مَآءَ مَدْيَنَ وَجَدَ عَلَيْهِ أُمَّةً مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ يَسْقُونَ وَوَجَدَ مِن دُونِهِمُ ٱمْرَأَتَيْنِ تَذُودَانِۖ قَالَ مَا خَطْبُكُمَاۖ قَالَتَا لَا نَسْقِى حَتَّىٰ يُصْدِرَ ٱلرِّعَآءُۖ وَأَبُونَا شَيْخٌ كَبِيرٌ
[And when he [Musa peace be upon him] came to the well of Madyan, he found there a crowd of people watering [their flocks], and he found aside from them two women driving back [their flocks]. He said, “What is your circumstance?” They said, “We do not water until the shepherds dispatch [their flocks], and our father is an old man.”
[Al-Qasas: 23]
Answered by: Shaykh Abu Bilaal Al-Hadhramy – may Allah preserve him
Source: https://t.me/abubilalhami/2824
Answered on: 2 Rabbi Al-Awal 1441(30th October 2019)
Translated by: Abu Sufian Saami ibn Daniel Al-Ghaani