Permission for Women to Attend the Mosque in Islam

Permission for Women to Attend the Mosque


Adapted from: Khawātīn ka Masjid Mein Bājamāʿat Namāz Parhne ka Mas’alah by Muḥammad Ayyūb Supra

General Ruling​

If there is no danger or valid Sharʿī excuse, women may attend the mosque to perform congregational prayers. The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ granted women permission to go to the mosque and commanded men to allow their wives to attend.

Prophetic Instruction​

The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:


إذا استأذنت امرأة أحدكم فلا يمنعها
“If any of your wives seeks your permission to go (to the mosque), do not prevent her.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Adhān, Bāb Istiʾdhān al-Marʾah Zawjahā bi-l-Khurūj ilā al-Masjid, ḥadīth: 873)

Specific Mention of Night Prayers​

Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:


إذا استأذنكم نساؤكم بالليل إلى المسجد فأذنوا لهن
“If your wives seek your permission to go to the mosque at night, then permit them.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Adhān, Bāb Khurūj al-Nisāʾ ilā al-Masājid, ḥadīth: 865)

Summary​

• Women are allowed to go to the mosque for prayer when no Sharʿī objection or danger exists.
• Men are instructed by the Prophet ﷺ not to prevent their wives from attending, especially for night prayers.

ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب