Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

 

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

 

As salaam aliakum !

I just want to know whether womwn are allowed to go to the mosque.

 

Regards.

Asma Wahid.

 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

 

Answer:

 

Can woman go to mosques

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

 

Abu Hurairah relates that the Prophet (saws)  said: "Do not keep the slave girls of Allah (believing women) from going to the mosques of Allah.  And they are to go out unperfumed."

 

Ibn 'Umar reports that the Prophet (saws)  said: "Do not prevent the women from going to the mosques, although their houses are better for them."

Related by Ahmad and Abu Dawud.

 

Abu Hurairah reports that the Prophet (saws) said: "Any woman who uses some scent should not be present with us during the night prayer."

Related by Muslim,  Abu Dawud, and an-Nasa'i.

 

Umm Humaid as-Sa'diyah came to the Messenger of Allah(saws)  and said: "O Messenger of Allah, I love to pray with you."   The Prophet(saws)  said: "I am aware of that, but your salah in your residence is better for you than your salah in your people's mosque.   And your salah in your people's mosque is better than your salah in the [larger] congregational Mosque."

Related by Ahmad and at-Tabarani

 

Umm Salamah, the wife of the Prophet (saws) and the mother of the believers,  related that the Prophet (saws)  came to the mosque's courtyard and said at the top of his voice, "The mosque is off limits to menstruating women and the sexually impure persons."

Related by Ibn Majah and at-Tabarani.

 

In light of the above narrations, it is absolutely permissible for a believing woman to offer her prayers in the mosques if she wishes to do so, although it is better and more meritorious for them to pray in their houses than to attend congregational prayers in the mosques.  However, they may go to the mosque and attend the congregational prayer if they wish to do so, provided they avoid wearing or using any attractive or tempting adornments and perfume. 

 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

 

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

 

 

Burhan