Should Women Be Prevented From Attending the Masjid?
The clear and most correct answer to this question is NO. We have in the following four authentic Hadith a clear example for those who wish to fulfill the obligation of living in Ma’roof (absolute kindness and justice) with their women. Narrated Salim from his father, ‘Abd Allah bin ‘Umar, that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
"When women ask permission for going to the mosque, do not prevent them." (Saheeh Muslim)
'Abd Allah bin ‘Umar reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) say:
"Do not prevent your women from going to the mosque when they seek your permission." Bilaal bin ‘Abd Allah said: By Allah! We shall certainly prevent them. On this, ‘Abd Allah bin ‘Umar turned towards him and reprimanded him so harshly as I had never heard him do before. He (‘Abd Allah bin ‘Umar) said: I am narrating to you that which comes from the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and you (dare) say: By Allah! We shall certainly prevent them. (Saheeh Muslim)
Ibn ‘Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
"Do not prevent women from going to the Mosque at night." A boy said to ‘Abd Allah bin ‘Umar: We would never let them go out, that they may not be caught in evil. He (the narrator) said: Ibn ‘Umar reprimanded him and said: I am saying that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said this, but you say: We would not allow! (Saheeh Muslim)
Zainab bint Thaqafiya reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said to us:
"When any of you comes to the mosque, she should not apply perfume." (Saheeh Muslim)
From the above authentic Hadith, we can clearly see that the Sahabiyat (female companions) were not prevented from attending the mosque. In fact, the Prophet (SAW) instructed the men not to prevent them! Further, it is clear that they may attend 'Isha even though it may be night time. We also have authentic Hadith in the Sahih of Imam Al-Bukhari that the women would attend Fajr completely enveloped in their Hijab. Hence, if a woman does not perfume herself and observes the proper Hijab (see Her Dress Requirements), she may attend the masjid for Salat. Let the above serve as an argument against those who wish to practice the extreme of banning women from the houses of Allah (SWT)!
Further, it is extremely important for women to attend community functions at the Masjid (i.e. lectures, study circles, and other similar gatherings) as this is one of the few times a woman witnesses how Muslims are to interact with each other. Such functions benefit the women by allowing them to give and receive Da’wah, apply proper rules of Adab (manners), and to help in the maintenance of Allah’s (SWT) houses. Thus, the permissibility of women praying in the Masjid is well established from the Sunnah. The important issue is knowing where it is better to perform her Salat.
