Women attending the congregational Taraweeh Salaah at the Masjid
Question:-
Are women allowed to attend the congregational Taraweeh Salaah at the Masjid?
Answer:-
The Fuqaha do not deny the fact that women were permitted to perform Salaah in the Masjid during the blessed era of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam. However, we should understand that the era of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam was termed as “Khairul Quroon”, which means “the best of eras”. Due to the presence of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam, the Sahaaba (radhiallhu anhum) were protected from all forms of evil. Also, this was the golden era of divine revelation. Various injunctions of Shariah would be revealed. The womenfolk were required to learn the various laws of Shariah, and they would have the honour of following none other than Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam in Salaah. On various occasions, Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam would interpret dreams and explain such things that were absolutely strange and unheard of. Due to these reasons, women were permitted to attend the congregational prayer. Notwithstanding the above, attending the congregational prayer was not compulsory for women as it was for men. This can be explicitly understood from the Hadith of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam wherein Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam expresses his intention as to how he desires to deal with those men who discard their Jamaat Salaat without a valid excuse, “Had it not been for women and children in the houses, I would have established the Esha Salaah and commanded the youth to set the houses (of those men who discard the congregational prayer) alight”.
عن ابى هريرة رضى الله عنه عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال لولا ما فى البيوت من النساء والذرية اقمت صلؤة العشاء وامرت فتيانى يحرقون ما فى البيوت بالنار
From the above Hadith, it is clearly understood that it was not necessary for women to attend the Masjid, and the women had performed their Salaah in their homes, as well as in the Masjid, as they were given permission during that benevolent era to come to the Masjid, as the following Hadith clearly indicates:
عن ابن عمر قال قال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم اذا استاذنت امراة احدكم الى المسجد فلا يمنعها متفق عليه (مشكوة ص 96 ج1)
Ibn Umar radhiallahu anhu reports that Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam is reported to have said, “When anyone’s wife seeks permission (from her husband) to attend the Masjid, then do not prevent her (from attending the congregational prayer).
In the commentary of the abovementioned Hadith, Sheikh Muhaddith Dehlawi (rahmatullahi alaih) states that this refers to an old woman who had reached such an old age that she is no longer desired by men, neither does she apply any fragrance, nor does she adorn and beautify herself. He further states that in our times, it is Makrooh/detested for women to attend the congregational prayers. During the era of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam, women had attended the Masjid to acquire the knowledge of Shariah. This need and necessity does not exist any longer as the knowledge of Deen and the laws of Shariah have been widespread (i.e. knowledge of Deen is easily available in the form of literature on the internet, Madrasahs etc.), therefore, women should conceal themselves and perform their Salaah at home. (Ref: Mishkaat pg.96 Hashiya no.4).
Also, there are many other Ahadith which encourage women to perform Salaah in their homes. The Salaah of a woman in her home is better than her Salaah in the Masjid of her locality. (Tabrani)
عن ام سلمة رضى الله عنها قالت قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم صلوة المراة فى بيتها خير من صلوتها فى حجرها وصلاتها فى حجرها خير من صلاتها فى دارها وصلاتها فى دارها خير من صلاتها فى مسجد قومها رواه الطبرانى (الترغيب ص188)
Ibn Abbas radhiallahu anhu reports that Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam is reported to have said, No woman performs a Salaah which is more beloved to Allah Ta’aala than the Salaah that is performed in the most darkest and concealed portion of her house.
عن ابن مسعود رضى الله عنه قال ما صلت امراة من صلوة احب الى الله من اشد مكان ظلمة (الترغيب ص189 ج1)
These Ahadith are quite explicit that women should perform their Salaah in their homes, and preferably the innermost sections of their bedrooms.
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْحَافِظُ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ : مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَحْمَدَ الزَّاهِدُ حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مَهْدِىِّ بْنِ رُسْتُمَ الأَصْبَهَانِىُّ حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عَاصِمٍ الْكِلاَبِىُّ حَدَّثَنَا هَمَّامٌ عَنْ قَتَادَةَ عَنْ مُوَرِّقٍ عَنْ أَبِى الأَحْوَصِ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَنِ النَّبِىِّ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- قَالَ :« صَلاَةُ الْمَرْأَةِ فِى بَيْتِهَا أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صَلاَتِهَا فِى حُجْرَتِهَا ، وَصَلاَتُهَا فِى مَخْدَعِهَا أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صَلاَتِهَا فِى بَيْتِهَا ». سنن الكبرى للبيهقى
The Salaah of a woman in her bedroom is superior to her Salaah that is performed in any other room, and Salaah that is performed in a chamber of the bedroom is superior to her Salaah performed in the bedroom.
عن ام سلمة رضى الله عنه عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم خير مساجد النساء قعر بيوتهن رواه احمد والطبرانى فى الكبير (الترغيب ص 188)
In a Hadith of Musnad-e-Ahmad and Tabrani, Umme Salma Radiallahu Anha narrates that Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam is reported to have said, “The best Masjid (place of Salaah) of the women is in the depths (inner room) of their homes”.
In another Hadith Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam is reported to have said,
وما عبدت أمرأة ربها مثل ان تعبده فى بيتها (طبرانى)
There is no woman that worships her Rabb like she worships Him in her house.(i.e. no Ibaadah is superior than the Ibaadat a woman makes at home).
Hadrat Umme Humaid radhiallahu anha told Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam, “I love to perform Salaah with you (i.e. in congregation).” Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam said, “I know that you love performing Salaah with me, but performing Salaah in your room is better than performing Salaah in the Daalan, and performing Salaah in the Dalaan is better than performing Salaah in the courtyard of the house, and performing Salaah in the courtyard of your house is better than performing Salaah in the local Masjid, and performing Salaah in your local Masjid is better than performing Salaah in my Masjid.” On hearing this,ź Hadrat Umme Humaid radhiallahu anha fixed the most inner portion of her home which was most dark for the performance of Salaah, and she continuously performed her Salaah in that specific area until death. (Ref: At-Targheeb Wat-Tarheeb).
In the commentary of the above Hadith, the Ulema have written that the women during the era of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam had a great deal of desire and enthusiasm to practice upon Deen, and she, therefore, fixed the inner portion of her home for Salaah and performed Salaah therein. Nowadays, the women listen to the Ahadith of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam, read the various Kitaabs of Deen, and are well acquainted in regards to the importance of adhering to Shari’ee Purda, yet they do not act upon these injunctions. Firstly, many women have no inclination and desire to lead a life in accordance to Shariah, and as for those women that have some inclination, they follow Deen according to their whims and fancies and not according to the Shariah. One will be rewarded for following the Shariah and not for following one’s desire.
[Re:- Khawateen ke liye Shari’ee Ahkaam pg.102]
In a narration of Abu Daud Sharif, Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam is reported to have said, “The Salaah of a woman who applies Itr and attends the masjid (for the congregation prayer) is not accepted until she takes such a bath that is (normally) taken to cleanse oneself from Janaabat.”
وفي رواية لأبي داود ، قال : «لَقِيَتْهُ امرأَة ، فوجد منها ريح الطيب ، ولِذَيلِها إعصارٌ، فقال: يا أَمَةَ الجَبَّارِ ، جِئْتِ مِن المسجد؟ قالت: نعم، قال: وله تَطَيَّبْتِ ؟ قالت : نعم، قال: إِني سمعت حِبِّي أبا القاسم -صلى الله عليه وسلم- يقول : لا تُقْبَلُ صلاةُ امرأة تطيبت للمسجد، حتى تغتَسِل غُسلها من الجنابة».
During the era of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam the rule was that women should perform their Salaah at the rear. Immediately after Salaam, the women would depart from the Masjid. Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam and the Sahaaba radhiallahu anhum would remain seated. They would only depart when the women had left. (Ref: Bukhari Sharif pg.119/120 vol.1).
Nowadays the Shari’ee Purda is not given any importance. The men are generally void of Taqwa and internal purification, and women do not practice upon simplicity by wearing simple clothing. Generally, women adorn themselves, apply perfume and leave the home. If they wear a Burqah, then the cloak will be a brand-name cloak or some designer wear with embroidery on it etc. How can there be permissibility for women to attend the Masaajid under such circumstances.
[Re:- Re:- Khawateen ke liye Shari’ee Ahkaam pg.102]
Hadrat Aisha radhiallahu anha said, “If Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam had seen the mischief of the women (in this era i.e. post-demise of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam), he would have certainly prevented them from (attending) the Masjid as the women of Bani Israeel were prevented.”
عن يحيى بن سعيد عن عمرة عن عائشة قالت لو أن رسول الله {صلى الله عليه وسلم} رأى ما أحدث النساء لمنعهن المساجد كما منعت نساء بني إسرائيل قال فقلت لعمرة أنساء بني إسرائيل منعن المسجد قالت نعم
(رواه البخاري ص120 ج1)
The era of Aisha radhiallahu anha was termed as “Khairul Quroon” (best of eras), yet she remarked in the above manner. We are, perhaps, in the worst of eras (a time of Fitna and Fasaad with evil affecting us from all angles, and each day the Fitna seems worse than the previous), so can we then encourage our women to attend the Masaajid? Are we not opening the doors to Fitna by doing so?
During the era of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam, the women used to attend the Eid Salaah as well. However, this was not encouraged. Instead, women were prevented by their husbands from attending the Eid Salaah. The wives of the Sahaaba radhiallahu anhum would not attend the congregational prayer of Eid as understood from the following Ahadith:
عن ابن عمر انه كان لا يخرج نسائه فى العيدين (مصنف ابن ابى شيبة ص234 ج4)
عن هشام ابن عروة من ابيه انه كان لا يدع امرأة من اهله تخرج الى فطر ولا اضحى (مصنف ابن ابى شيبة ص234 ج4)
حدثنا أبو داود عن قوة قال حدثنا عبد الرحمن بن القاسم قال كان القاسم أشد شئ على العواتق لا يدعهن يخرجن في القطر والأضحى (مصنف ابن ابى شيبة ص234 ج4)
حدثنا أبو بكر قال حدثنا جرير عن منصور عن إبراهيم قال يكره خروج النساء في العيدين (مصنف ابن ابى شيبة ص234 ج4)
Allama Shaami rahmatullahi alaih (a great Hanafi scholar) has written that it is Makrooh for women folk to attend congregational prayer even though it may be Salaatul Jumuah or Salaatul Eid. This prohibition also applies to an old lady who desires to attend the Jamaat Salaah (congregational prayer) at night due to the Fitna and Fasaad prevalent in our era. This is the view of the latter Ulema and the Fatwa is issued on this view.
Allama Kaasani Ramatullahi Alaihi elaborates further, that women leaving their homes are a means for Fitna, and Fitna is Haraam, and that which leads a person towards Haraam is also Haraam.
ويكره حضرورهن الجماعة ولو لجمعة وعيد ووعظ مطلقا ولو عجوزا ليلا على المذهب المفتى به لفساد الزمان —-(شامى ص566 ج1)
ولا يباح منهن الخروج الى الجماعات بدليل ما روى عن عمر رضى الله عنه انه نهى الشواب عن الخروج ولان خروجهن الى الجماعة سبب للفتنة والفتنة حرام وما ادى الى الحرام فهو حرام بدائع الصنائع ص157 ج1
In conclusion, women are prohibited from attending the congregational Salaah in the Masajid, whether it is for the daily Fardh Salaah, Eid Salaah, Jumuah Salaah or Taraweeh Salaah.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 27 Jumadal Ukhra 1443 / 30 January 2022