Q. I am aware that a woman who is in her haidh is not allowed to enter the places where salaah is performed, on the other hand what about those Masjids where it is not connected to the male section. Is it still allowed for women to enter these areas while in their haidh?
A. Even though these areas are not connected to the male section of the masjid, once it is used continuously for Salaah by women, it automatically takes the ruling of a masjid. Hence, it will not be allowed for women to enter these areas while in their haidh. It is narrated in a hadith recorded by Imam Bukhari that on the occasion of Eid, the Prophet (SAS) encouraged the women (in haidh) to come out to join the other women at the open field, but ordered them to refrain from entering the area where Salaah is performed. (Bukhari). It is to be noted here, that the area which was used (in the open field) for Eid Salaah would have been used for only one or two times for the year. Yet, the Prophet (SAS) gave strict guidelines to women (who were in haidh) to refrain from entering the area where the Salaah was performed. This shows that an area which is used for Salaah takes the similar ruling of a Masjid.
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan