Why are women permitted in masjid? Women come improperly dressed, masjid not segrgated properly.Has become a meeting place for boys & girls or to arrange meetings and affairs.

Hadhrat Úmar (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) said that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, 'When your womenfolk request permission of you to attend the Masjid at night, grant them permission.' (Sahih Bukhari vol. 1 p. 119, Chapter on women coming out to the Masjid).

In the light of this Hadith, Imaam Maalik (Rahmatullaahi Álayhi) said, 'This Hadith and other similar ones (wherein permission is granted to women to attend the Masjid) apply to old women.

Allamah Khirmani (Rahmatullaahi Álayhi) says that permission for ladies attending the Masjid is applicable to the night time as stated in this Hadith. And that permission is in the absence of Fitnah or mischief against women or by women. During the lifetime of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) the absence of mischief was dominant.

Allama Alayni (RA) says, 'Verily, during our age mischeif and evil deeds are rife. (Footnote of Bukhari Shareef vol. 1 p. 119 Pakistani print).

Hadhrat Áaisha (Radhiallaahu Ánha) narrates that if Nabi (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) knew what the women are doing he would have prevented them from the Masjid just as the women of Bani Israaeel were prevented.' (Bukhari vol. 1 p. 120)

Under this Hadith, Imaam Taymi says that this Hadith contains substantiation for the view that 'it is not proper for women to emerge (from their homes) to go to the Masjids when mischief becomes rife.' (Footnote of Bukhari Shareef vol. 1 p. 120 Pakistani print).

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.