Al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 391 — The rows

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: "The women of the Children of Israel used to pray with the men in the rows. Then they made wooden moulds (high-soled shoes) by which they would make themselves appear taller, so that one of them could look at a (man) she was acquainted with. So menstruation was imposed upon them (as a punishment), and they were moved back (from the prayer and the place of worship)." Sayyiduna Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "So you too keep them back where Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, has kept them back."
This narration is sahih as mawquf; its chain is strong, and Imam Ibn Abi Shaybah (5113) and Abd al-Razzaq (5114) also recorded it in their books.