Is Congregational Prayer in the Mosque Obligatory for Women? A Detailed Explanation
Source: Aḥkām wa Masā’il, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, p. 155
Question
Is it obligatory for women to perform the five daily prayers in congregation at the mosque?
✔ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd!
For women, it is not obligatory to perform their five daily prayers in congregation at the mosque. Rather, it is a matter of permission.
As the Prophet ﷺ said:
«لاَ تَمْنَعُوْا اِمَائَ اﷲِ مَسَاجِدَ اﷲِ»
"Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from the mosques of Allah."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Jumuʿah)
Meaning:- Women should not be stopped if they wish to go to the mosque.
- However, it is not obligatory upon them to attend the mosque for prayer.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
"This is what I hold, and Allah knows best what is correct."
