Q1. What is the ruling regarding attending Bayaans at a Masjid or Madrassah where provision has been made for separate seating between men and women?
A1. We are not in favour of females attending programs on the Masjid and Madrasah premises, even though separate seating arrangements have been provisioned, due to the fear of Fitnah. Consider the following narration:
عن عمرة بنت عبد الرحمن أنها سمعت عائشة زوج النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم تقول لو أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم رأى ما أحدث النساء لمنعهن المسجد كما منعت نساء بنى إسرائيل قال فقلت لعمرة أنساء بنى إسرائيل منعن المسجد قالت نعم (صحيح مسلم #445)
Amrah bint Abdur Rahman narrates that she heard A’aisha Radiallahu Anha – the wife of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam saying, “If Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam saw what the females initiated, then he would have prevented them from the Masjid as the women of the Bani Israaeel were prevented. The narrator says, “I asked Amrah, “Were the women of the Bani Israeel prevented from coming to the Masjid?” She replied, “Yes.”
When both males and females are present at the same venue at the same time, then intermingling of sexes and casting lustful glances is inevitable except for a few. Females adorn themselves in decorative clothing and apply perfume, which is strongly discouraged when leaving the home. There may be separate seating facilities, but intermingling cannot be avoided in the car parks, Masjid and hall entrances; or at the male and female bathrooms when located in close proximity to each other, etc. These are all reasons for Fitnah and corruption. There have been instances in the recent past where phone numbers (of the opposite gender) were left on vehicle windscreens in the Masjid parking lot at Taraweeh time, which led to chaos during the blessed month of Ramadaan. May Allah protect us all! In conclusion, females should not be attending programs on Masjid and Madrasah premises which are frequented by males. Yes, if the females attend a ladies only program at the home of a local resident on a weekly basis to be educated, then it is acceptable with the proviso that she is dropped off and picked up by a Mahram.
Q2. Are women allowed to go in Jamaat (Mastooraat Jamaat)?
A2. Hadrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Saheb Gangohi Rahimahullah writes in Fataawa Mahmoodiyah that the purpose of the Tablighi Jamaat is to learn Deen, become firm in matters of Deen, and teach Deen to others. To attain this on a broad scale, lengthy journeys must be undertaken at times. Just as men need understanding and firmness in matters of Deen, women are also in need, and generally, this cannot be attained by staying at home. If one goes out in Mastooraat Jamaat to attain this, then it is permissible on condition that a woman goes with a Mahram, all activities are carried out within the parameters of Shariah, and no one’s rights are trampled upon. Furthermore, one’s children should not be so small that they become restless for their mother, nor should their upbringing be compromised. This was the Fatwa of the grand Mufti of India. However, this has now become a contentious issue amongst certain current day scholars, hence one should follow his Mufti in this matter. Now, this cannot be used as a proof to justify the attendance of males and females at a program that is to be held on the Madrasah or Masjid premises, as the objective and reasoning behind the two are completely different.
تبلیغی جماعت کا مقصد دین سیکھنا اس کو پانہ کرنا اور دوسروں کو دین سیکھنے پر ہفتہ کرنے کے لئے آمادہ کرنا ہے اور اس جذبہ کو عام کرنے کے لئے طویل سفر بھی اختیار کئے جاتے ہیں جس طرح مرد اپنے دین کو سمجھنے اور پختہ کرنے کے محتاج ہیں عورتیں بھی محتاج ہیں ۔ اور گھروں میں عامہ اس کا انتظام نہیں ہے۔ اس لئے اگر لندن یا کسی بھی دور دراز مقام پر محرم کے ساتھ حدود شرع کی پابندی کالحاظ رکھتے ہوئے جائیں اور کسی کے حقوق تلف نہ ہوں تو شرعاً اس کی اجازت ہے بلکہ دینی اعتبار سے مفید اور اہم ہے۔ اگر بچے اتنے چھوٹے نہیں کہ بغیر والدہ کے تڑپیں گے اور ان کی پرورش نہیں ہو سکے گی اور بچوں کی نانی ان کی دیکھ بھال اطمینان بخش طریقہ پر کر لیں گی تو پھر اجازت ہے۔ خدائے پاک اس سفر میں برکت دے ، نصرت فرمائے اور کامیاب واپس لائے ۔ بچوں کو عافیت سے رکھے ۔ فقط واللہ تعالیٰ اعلم (فتاوی محموديہ 5/145)
AND ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Abdul Kader Fazlani
Date: 21 Dhul Qa’dah 1445 / 30 May 2024
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb
