Can Women Stay Overnight in the Mosque?
Hadith Evidence
1. Woman Living in the Mosque
In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, there is a long narration describing a woman who accepted Islam.
A tent was set up for her in the mosque, and she stayed there.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Bāb Nawmu al-Marʾah fī al-Masjid, ḥadīth 439)
2. Woman Serving the Mosque
Abū Rāfiʿ narrated from Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) that a man or a woman used to sweep the mosque. Abū Hurayrah said:
“I think it was a woman.”
The Prophet (ﷺ) later prayed over her grave.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Bāb al-Khadam lil-Masjid, ḥadīth 460)
Ruling
These narrations prove that:
- Women can stay in the mosque overnight if needed, as in the case of the woman who lived in a tent inside the mosque.
- Women may also serve and maintain the mosque.
- Such presence in the mosque is permissible, provided that Islamic guidelines of ḥijāb and avoiding unnecessary mixing are observed.
