Children And Women In The Masjid

1.
Children who are very young should not be brought to the Masjid. Only those children who understand and respect the sanctity of the Masjid should be brought, which is generally when they are about seven years of age.

2. The rulings mentioned in the books of jurisprudence should be applied as the situation demands. For example, the books of jurisprudence mention that the ʿAwrah of a man is from below his navel to below his knees. This does not mean that a man should now move around in public bare-chested; rather, the modesty taught to us by our Sharīʿah demands that he only exposes these parts of his body when some need arises. Consequently, although children of certain ages may be permitted to expose certain parts of their bodies which a grown child may not, it would be against public etiquette and the modesty taught to us by our Sharīʿah for children not to cover these parts, more so when they come to the Masjid. Nabī ﷺ said:

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال «الإيمان بضع وستون شعبة، والحياء شعبة من الإيمان»

“Modesty is a branch of Faith.”

Therefore, what the Imām has said is correct.

3. The purpose of a ladies’ section in a Masjid is to cater for female travellers who, due to necessity need to perform their Ṣalāh in a facility adjacent to the Masjid. They could enter this facility and perform their Ṣalāh individually before continuing on their journey. As for the local women, the most ideal place for them is to perform their Ṣalāh in the darkest portion of their home. Nabī ﷺ has stated:

عن عبد الله، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «إن أحب صلاة تصليها المرأة إلى الله في أشد مكان في بيتها ظلمة».

“The best Ṣalāh a woman can
perform for Allāh Ta’aala is in the darkest place of her house.”

Therefore, if any woman from the locality is performing her Ṣalāh habitually in the local Masjid, she should be stopped from doing so. Even worse, if she is dressed inappropriately, let alone entering the Masjid in the state of menstruation! The opposition of the Imām is justified in this scenario. If the trustees do not put an end to the current situation despite having the ability to do so, they would be responsible for the disrespect shown to the Masjid. The Imām should explain to the trustees the reason for his opposition and try to put an end to the situation.

Therefore, if any woman from the locality is performing her Ṣalāh habitually in the local Masjid, she should be stopped from doing so. Even worse, if she is dressed inappropriately, let alone entering the Masjid in the state of menstruation! The opposition of the Imām is justified in this scenario. If the trustees do not put an end to the current situation despite having the ability to do so, they would be responsible for the disrespect shown to the Masjid. The Imām should explain to the trustees the reason for his opposition and try to put an end to the situation.