QUESTION:
From a Shari’ perspective, is it permissible to have a female facility in the Masjid complex?
ANSWER:
We are living in an era where Muslims undertake journeys to visit family and relatives, and for various other reasons as well. Men easily perform their Salaah in the Masajid which are available in every town and city. However, it is a challenge for females as they too need to use the bathroom, perform Wudhu and perform Salaah during Safr. Hence, due to necessity it will be acceptable to establish a ladies’ Musallah in a secluded section of the Masjid property, where intermingling will be totally avoided. Also, a fence or some barrier should be erected which will serve as Purdah for the females.
At the same time, notices should be put up that females are not permitted to walk or loiter on the Masjid premises; rather they should disembark to perform Salaah and thereafter get back into the vehicle. Similarly, a notice should be put up that males are not permitted to loiter around the female Salaah facility. The females should be dropped off by the males, who will then proceed to the Masjid, and they may pick them up as soon as they are done. The trustees should keep in mind that the facility is for Musaafireen and not for the five daily Salaah, as ladies should perform their Salaah within their homes and not in the ladies’ Musallah.
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)
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”.
ما أبيح للضرورة يقدر بقدرها (الأشباه و النظائر 1/73)
[Re: Fataawa Fareediyyah Vol.6 Pg. 394].
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Abdul Kader Fazlani
Date: 15 Safr 1446 / 20 August 2024
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb
