Ruling on Women Attending the Mosque for Congregational Prayer
Adapted from: Khawātīn ka Masjid Mein Bājamāʿat Namāz Parhne ka Mas’alah by Muḥammad Ayyūb Supra
Allāh ﷻ says:
فِي بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ اللَّهُ أَن تُرْفَعَ وَيُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ فِيهَا بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ ﴿٣٦﴾ رِجَالٌ لَّا تُلْهِيهِمْ تِجَارَةٌ وَلَا بَيْعٌ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ
(Al-Nūr: 36–37)
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن مَّنَعَ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ أَن يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ
(Al-Baqarah: 114)
These verses describe the virtue of the mosques — houses where Allāh’s name is remembered and His worship performed — and condemn those who prevent people from entering them.
The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:
أحب البلاد إلى الله تعالى مساجدها وأبغض البلاد إلى الله أسواقها
“The most beloved places to Allāh are its mosques, and the most detested places to Allāh are its markets.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Masājid, Bāb Faḍl al-Julūs fī al-Ṣalāh, ḥadīth: 671)
Mosques are beloved because they are centres for worship, remembrance, and establishing prayer. The one who comes to the mosque is a guest of Allāh, and Allāh has prepared His hospitality for such a guest in Paradise.
The Qur’ān condemns those who prevent anyone from entering the mosque. By this reasoning, women should not be prevented from attending mosques, provided there is no valid Sharʿī prohibition or danger.
Markets, on the other hand, often involve deceit, falsehood, impermissible mixing, and inappropriate speech, hence they are disliked.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Adapted from: Khawātīn ka Masjid Mein Bājamāʿat Namāz Parhne ka Mas’alah by Muḥammad Ayyūb Supra
Qur’ānic Basis
Allāh ﷻ says:
فِي بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ اللَّهُ أَن تُرْفَعَ وَيُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ فِيهَا بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ ﴿٣٦﴾ رِجَالٌ لَّا تُلْهِيهِمْ تِجَارَةٌ وَلَا بَيْعٌ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ
(Al-Nūr: 36–37)
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن مَّنَعَ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ أَن يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ
(Al-Baqarah: 114)
These verses describe the virtue of the mosques — houses where Allāh’s name is remembered and His worship performed — and condemn those who prevent people from entering them.
Prophetic Teaching
The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:
أحب البلاد إلى الله تعالى مساجدها وأبغض البلاد إلى الله أسواقها
“The most beloved places to Allāh are its mosques, and the most detested places to Allāh are its markets.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Masājid, Bāb Faḍl al-Julūs fī al-Ṣalāh, ḥadīth: 671)
Mosques are beloved because they are centres for worship, remembrance, and establishing prayer. The one who comes to the mosque is a guest of Allāh, and Allāh has prepared His hospitality for such a guest in Paradise.
Reasoning Regarding Women’s Attendance
The Qur’ān condemns those who prevent anyone from entering the mosque. By this reasoning, women should not be prevented from attending mosques, provided there is no valid Sharʿī prohibition or danger.
Markets, on the other hand, often involve deceit, falsehood, impermissible mixing, and inappropriate speech, hence they are disliked.
Purposes for Women Attending the Mosque
- To participate in congregational prayer.
- To engage in dhikr (remembrance), tasbīḥ, taḥlīl, and praise of Allāh ﷻ.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
