Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
Islam allows women to attend the mosque and participate in congregational prayers, provided that they observe the prescribed conditions of modesty, etiquette, and seek their guardian’s permission.
➊ It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from (entering) the mosques of Allah."
[Sahih: Sahih Abu Dawood: 529, Kitab as-Salah: Bab Ma Ja’a fi Khuruj an-Nisa’ ila al-Masjid; Abu Dawood: 565; Ahmad: 2/438; ‘Abd al-Razzaq: 5121; Darimi: 2/293; Ibn Khuzaymah: 1679; Bayhaqi: 3/134]
➋ It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"If your women seek permission to go to the mosque at night, then grant them permission."
[Bukhari: 865, Kitab al-Adhan: Bab Khuruj an-Nisa’ ila al-Masajid bi’l-Layl wa’l-Ghalas; Muslim: 442; Ahmad: 2/7; ‘Abd al-Razzaq: 5107; Humaydi: 612; Darimi: 1/293; Bayhaqi: 3/132; Sharh al-Sunnah: 863]
Imam Nawawi رحمه الله explains:
The prohibition mentioned in the first Hadith is not one of strict forbiddance (ḥarām), but rather of dislike (makrūh). These narrations also indicate that women should seek permission from their husbands before leaving for the mosque or any other place.
[Sharh Muslim: 3/399–400; Al-Majmū‘: 4/92]
✿ Women May Attend Mosques for Congregational Salah
Islam allows women to attend the mosque and participate in congregational prayers, provided that they observe the prescribed conditions of modesty, etiquette, and seek their guardian’s permission.
➊ It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from (entering) the mosques of Allah."
[Sahih: Sahih Abu Dawood: 529, Kitab as-Salah: Bab Ma Ja’a fi Khuruj an-Nisa’ ila al-Masjid; Abu Dawood: 565; Ahmad: 2/438; ‘Abd al-Razzaq: 5121; Darimi: 2/293; Ibn Khuzaymah: 1679; Bayhaqi: 3/134]
➋ It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"If your women seek permission to go to the mosque at night, then grant them permission."
[Bukhari: 865, Kitab al-Adhan: Bab Khuruj an-Nisa’ ila al-Masajid bi’l-Layl wa’l-Ghalas; Muslim: 442; Ahmad: 2/7; ‘Abd al-Razzaq: 5107; Humaydi: 612; Darimi: 1/293; Bayhaqi: 3/132; Sharh al-Sunnah: 863]
Imam Nawawi رحمه الله explains:
The prohibition mentioned in the first Hadith is not one of strict forbiddance (ḥarām), but rather of dislike (makrūh). These narrations also indicate that women should seek permission from their husbands before leaving for the mosque or any other place.
[Sharh Muslim: 3/399–400; Al-Majmū‘: 4/92]
