Question: What is the Injunction for women attending Mosques?
We are aware of the saying of Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) where he stated that their praying in house is better than praying in the courtyard. Their praying in the courtyard is better than praying in the Mosque.
Therefore Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) himself clarified that there is no virtue in women going to congregational (prayer) or travelling to join a congregation.
Virtue or excellence in an action is derived from the commands of Allah (SWT) or sayings of Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam), we can’t derive virtue or excellence in actions based on our own account.
The methodology recommended by Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) was for the women to remain in their homes (for the purpose of prayer). However, since it was the time of great blessings did permit Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) for women to pray behind him. The mechanism of women attending Mosques is explained by Sayyida Aisha (RA) that women used to come during the dark, while fully covered to such an extent that they were unidentifiable and even then it was not declared to be a virtue (or a matter of excellence).
Then the circumstances changed due to which Sayyiduna Umar (RA) absolutely forbade women from coming to the Mosque and Sayyida Aisha (RA) stated that if Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) had witnessed the events of our time they may have also prohibited this matter like Sayyiduna Umar (RA).
Therefore, it is not appropriate for women to attend Mosques for regular prayers (or Friday Prayers) and they should be discouraged.
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