Can women join the jamat with men in the masjid? If so, is a curatain to seperate them required? If so, why is there no purdah in Al-Haram and Al Nabwi?Can you please provide support with your answer as I must explain this to someone who wants it. JazakAllah
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 mischief 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).
The law will be the same, be it in Makkah or elsewhere in the world because
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) advised the women to read Salaat in
their homes.
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.