QUESTION:
I would like to find out if it is advisable to have a “ladies-only” Jalsah for pre-schoolers in the Masjid?
ANSWER:
The Masaajid have been erected for the Aamaal of the hereafter, such as performance of Salaah, Zikrullah, Tilaawat, I’tikaaf, acquiring knowledge of Deen, etc. These are amongst those actions in which there is certainty that the Masjid will not be disrespected or soiled in any way. Furthermore, the Masjid has not been built for worldly practices even though there may not be any fear of the Masjid being disrespected or soiled. [Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah Pg. 345, Vol.22 Footnote1]
Secondly, due to the fear of Fitnah and Fasaad, females are prevented from attending the congregational Salaah, Jumuah, Eid Salaah, etc. Hadrat Aisha Radiallahu Anha states, “If Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam had found what the females had initiated then he would have prevented them from attending the Masjid.” [Bukhari] It is on this basis that certain senior Sahaabah prevented their females from going to the Masjid. They would create some obstacle and thereby prevent them from attending the Masjid. [Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah Pg. 343, Vol.22]
The Ulama have written that to hold a Jalsa (for adult males) with the objective of imparting the necessary Masaa’il of Deen in the Masjid is permitted, with the proviso that the talks of Allah and His Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam are imparted seriously by the speakers, and the listeners will listen attentively with respect and honour without causing any commotion or noise in the Masjid. [Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah Pg. 359, Vol.22]
It is clear from the above texts that the Masaajid are not built for children’s Jalsahs and merry-making. These are the houses of Allah and have been built for a particular objective and purpose, and it is for this objective and purpose that the donors are contributing their funds monthly. Furthermore, females are not permitted to come to the Masjid, as understood from the above texts and particularly without a valid reason. The Jalsahs that are held nowadays, are merely for entertainment and merry-making. Everyone is busy chatting and laughing; mothers bring in their little children, and the graduating children are creating a big noise.
It is also possible that some children are not 100% Paak and deserving to be in the Masjid. Also, females in a state of Haidh and Nifaas are not permitted in the houses of Allah. The Masjid lights, water and electricity will be used during the Jalsah, whereas the donors are contributing for the benefit of the Musallis that will engage in the Ibaadat of Allah Ta’ala. In conclusion, the Sahn is part of the Masjid and built with the same objective as the Masjid, hence the Jalsah should be held elsewhere and not in the Sahn.
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date:- 15 Jumadal Ula 1445 / 29 November 2023
