Author: Al-Sheikh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)
Question:
Can women hold preaching gatherings (tablighi ijtima'at) in mosques? Please provide an answer based on the Quran and Sunnah.
Answer:
The right to invite others to Islam and to preach (da'wah) is granted to every Muslim, whether male or female. Just as Allah has mentioned the responsibility of enjoining good and forbidding evil (amr bil ma'roof wa nahi anil munkar) for men, He has similarly mentioned it for women. Allah Almighty says:
وَالْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُوْنَ بِالْمَعْرُوْفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَيُقِيمُوْنَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُوْنَ الزَّكَاةَ وَيُطِيْعُوْنَ اللهَ وَرَسُوْلَهُ أُوْلٓئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ اللهُ إِنَّ اللهَ عَزِيْزٌ حَكِيْمٌ
[Al-Tawbah: 71]
“The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakat and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those, Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.”
This verse clearly highlights that one of the virtues and qualities of believing men and women is their involvement in enjoining good and forbidding evil. Just as men have the right to speak up for good and prevent evil, women also share this right to encourage what is good and discourage what is harmful. It is important to note that in the early Islamic period, gatherings of men were not in the same format as our modern-day gatherings and conferences. Instead, their legitimacy was derived from the general commands of the Quran and Hadith regarding da'wah and preaching. Similarly, it is necessary to understand that women are also permitted to engage in da'wah and preaching in ways that respect Islamic boundaries.
For example, women should be properly veiled when leaving their homes, should not wear fragrance that can attract attention, should avoid dressing in a fashionable manner, and must ensure there is no mingling with men. They should not participate in gatherings as some singers or actresses do nowadays, appearing on stage in fashionable attire. Rather, they should attend tablighi gatherings in a manner that reflects complete adherence to Islamic dress code, free from any display of beauty or adornment. If such gatherings are held far from home, women should travel only with a mahram (a close male relative whom she cannot marry). They must not travel without a mahram.
By observing these Islamic boundaries, women are permitted to organize da'wah and preaching programs in mosques. Mosques are symbols of Islam, and their purpose is to be kept active and lively through prayer, fasting, recitation, remembrance of Allah, and teaching and spreading the knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah. Just as men have the right to populate and attend mosques, women have the same right. Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (رضی اللہ عنہما) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
لَا تَمْنَعُوْا النِّسَاءَ حُظُوْظَهُنَّ مِنَ الْمَسَاجِدِ إِذَا اسْتَأْذَنَّكُمْ
[Muslim, Book of Prayer: Chapter on Women Going to Mosques 442]
“Do not prevent women from their share of the mosques if they ask your permission.”
This authentic hadith indicates that women have a rightful share in mosques, and this includes participation in religious and reformative gatherings. Furthermore, the acts of women performing i'tikaf (seclusion for worship) in mosques, praying behind men, and the emphasis on their presence at Eid gatherings (which hold a similar status to mosques) support the idea that women are allowed to be in mosques. Some destitute women even stayed in the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid al-Nabawi), demonstrating that a woman is permitted to stay in a mosque for the purpose of remembering Allah, performing acts of worship, and engaging in religious discussions.
Therefore, as long as they remain within the limits set by Islamic guidelines and avoid mingling with men, women can organize tablighi gatherings and da'wah programs in mosques. There is no Islamic restriction against this.
Question:
Can women hold preaching gatherings (tablighi ijtima'at) in mosques? Please provide an answer based on the Quran and Sunnah.
Answer:
The right to invite others to Islam and to preach (da'wah) is granted to every Muslim, whether male or female. Just as Allah has mentioned the responsibility of enjoining good and forbidding evil (amr bil ma'roof wa nahi anil munkar) for men, He has similarly mentioned it for women. Allah Almighty says:
وَالْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُوْنَ بِالْمَعْرُوْفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَيُقِيمُوْنَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُوْنَ الزَّكَاةَ وَيُطِيْعُوْنَ اللهَ وَرَسُوْلَهُ أُوْلٓئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ اللهُ إِنَّ اللهَ عَزِيْزٌ حَكِيْمٌ
[Al-Tawbah: 71]
“The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakat and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those, Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.”
This verse clearly highlights that one of the virtues and qualities of believing men and women is their involvement in enjoining good and forbidding evil. Just as men have the right to speak up for good and prevent evil, women also share this right to encourage what is good and discourage what is harmful. It is important to note that in the early Islamic period, gatherings of men were not in the same format as our modern-day gatherings and conferences. Instead, their legitimacy was derived from the general commands of the Quran and Hadith regarding da'wah and preaching. Similarly, it is necessary to understand that women are also permitted to engage in da'wah and preaching in ways that respect Islamic boundaries.
For example, women should be properly veiled when leaving their homes, should not wear fragrance that can attract attention, should avoid dressing in a fashionable manner, and must ensure there is no mingling with men. They should not participate in gatherings as some singers or actresses do nowadays, appearing on stage in fashionable attire. Rather, they should attend tablighi gatherings in a manner that reflects complete adherence to Islamic dress code, free from any display of beauty or adornment. If such gatherings are held far from home, women should travel only with a mahram (a close male relative whom she cannot marry). They must not travel without a mahram.
By observing these Islamic boundaries, women are permitted to organize da'wah and preaching programs in mosques. Mosques are symbols of Islam, and their purpose is to be kept active and lively through prayer, fasting, recitation, remembrance of Allah, and teaching and spreading the knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah. Just as men have the right to populate and attend mosques, women have the same right. Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (رضی اللہ عنہما) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
لَا تَمْنَعُوْا النِّسَاءَ حُظُوْظَهُنَّ مِنَ الْمَسَاجِدِ إِذَا اسْتَأْذَنَّكُمْ
[Muslim, Book of Prayer: Chapter on Women Going to Mosques 442]
“Do not prevent women from their share of the mosques if they ask your permission.”
This authentic hadith indicates that women have a rightful share in mosques, and this includes participation in religious and reformative gatherings. Furthermore, the acts of women performing i'tikaf (seclusion for worship) in mosques, praying behind men, and the emphasis on their presence at Eid gatherings (which hold a similar status to mosques) support the idea that women are allowed to be in mosques. Some destitute women even stayed in the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid al-Nabawi), demonstrating that a woman is permitted to stay in a mosque for the purpose of remembering Allah, performing acts of worship, and engaging in religious discussions.
Therefore, as long as they remain within the limits set by Islamic guidelines and avoid mingling with men, women can organize tablighi gatherings and da'wah programs in mosques. There is no Islamic restriction against this.