Separate Gatherings for Women
Adapted from: Khawātīn ka Masjid Mein Bājamāʿat Namāz Parhne ka Mas’alah by Muḥammad Ayyūb Supra
Acquiring knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman. The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ allocated a special day for women so that they could learn about their religious matters.
Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī رضي الله عنه narrated:
The women said to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ: “The men have taken the benefit of your company, so appoint a day for us (for instruction).” He promised them a day, met with them on that day, admonished them, and taught them appropriate rulings.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-ʿIlm, Bāb Yajʿal li-l-Nisāʾ Yawm ʿalā Ḥidah fī al-ʿIlm, ḥadīth: 101)
On one ʿEid occasion, the Prophet ﷺ passed through the rows of men along with Bilāl رضي الله عنه. Realizing that the women might not have heard the sermon clearly, he addressed them separately and encouraged them to give charity. Upon hearing this, some women gave jewellery such as rings and others gave barley, which Bilāl رضي الله عنه collected in his garment.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-ʿIlm, Bāb ʿAṭiyyat al-Imām al-Nisāʾ wa-Taʿlīmuhunna, ḥadīth: 98)
In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh and Kitāb al-ʿĪdayn, it is narrated from Umm ʿAṭiyyah رضي الله عنها:
We were commanded to bring out the virgins, the women in seclusion, and even the menstruating women on the two ʿĪds, so that they could witness the congregation of the Muslims and their supplication. The menstruating women would stay away from the place of prayer. A woman asked: “O Messenger of Allāh, what if one of us does not have a cloak?” He replied: “Let her companion lend her one of her cloaks.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, ḥadīth: 351; Kitāb al-ʿĪdayn, ḥadīth: 971, 974)
The wisdom appears to be that the sermons delivered on the two ʿĪds contained Islamic teachings; thus, women were emphasised to attend. The Prophet ﷺ also permitted women to come to the mosque for learning, while remaining behind the men.
In today’s era, scholars should arrange for the education and moral training of women behind a proper veil (purdah), in line with the prophetic practice, ensuring they have access to religious guidance while maintaining Islamic decorum.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Adapted from: Khawātīn ka Masjid Mein Bājamāʿat Namāz Parhne ka Mas’alah by Muḥammad Ayyūb Supra
Seeking Knowledge — An Obligation for Men and Women
Acquiring knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman. The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ allocated a special day for women so that they could learn about their religious matters.
Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī رضي الله عنه narrated:
The women said to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ: “The men have taken the benefit of your company, so appoint a day for us (for instruction).” He promised them a day, met with them on that day, admonished them, and taught them appropriate rulings.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-ʿIlm, Bāb Yajʿal li-l-Nisāʾ Yawm ʿalā Ḥidah fī al-ʿIlm, ḥadīth: 101)
Special Address to Women on ʿEid
On one ʿEid occasion, the Prophet ﷺ passed through the rows of men along with Bilāl رضي الله عنه. Realizing that the women might not have heard the sermon clearly, he addressed them separately and encouraged them to give charity. Upon hearing this, some women gave jewellery such as rings and others gave barley, which Bilāl رضي الله عنه collected in his garment.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-ʿIlm, Bāb ʿAṭiyyat al-Imām al-Nisāʾ wa-Taʿlīmuhunna, ḥadīth: 98)
Women’s Attendance at ʿEid Prayers
In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh and Kitāb al-ʿĪdayn, it is narrated from Umm ʿAṭiyyah رضي الله عنها:
We were commanded to bring out the virgins, the women in seclusion, and even the menstruating women on the two ʿĪds, so that they could witness the congregation of the Muslims and their supplication. The menstruating women would stay away from the place of prayer. A woman asked: “O Messenger of Allāh, what if one of us does not have a cloak?” He replied: “Let her companion lend her one of her cloaks.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, ḥadīth: 351; Kitāb al-ʿĪdayn, ḥadīth: 971, 974)
Wisdom Behind Their Participation
The wisdom appears to be that the sermons delivered on the two ʿĪds contained Islamic teachings; thus, women were emphasised to attend. The Prophet ﷺ also permitted women to come to the mosque for learning, while remaining behind the men.
Contemporary Relevance
In today’s era, scholars should arrange for the education and moral training of women behind a proper veil (purdah), in line with the prophetic practice, ensuring they have access to religious guidance while maintaining Islamic decorum.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
