Are there Hadiths about Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhum) specifically preventing women from going to the masjid? I have always come across the following Hadith in relation to this issue:
“Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) said:
‘If the Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) was alive to see what women are doing now, he would surely have prevented them from attending the prayers in the masjid just as the women of Banu Isra’il were prevented.’”
The above provides the reason. It doesn’t specifically mention Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhum) preventing the women though.
Answer
The Hadith about Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu’anha) is recorded by Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim (rahimahumallah)
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 869 and Sahih Muslim)
Important Observation
Interestingly, both the forerunners in the field of Hadith, Imams Bukhari and Muslim (rahimahumallah) have quoted the narration of Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu’anha) after citing those narrations which allow women [with strict conditions] to attend the Masjid.
They both seem to be alluding to the fact that it is indeed best for women to remain in their homes for salah, despite they themselves quoting the Hadiths that state that the Sahabiyyat would attend the masjid…
This is exactly how Imam Abu Dawud (rahimahullah) also cited this narration.
It is extremely crucial for the masses to understand how these giants portrayed the Hadith, and not merely suffice on selectively quoting Hadiths out of context.
Sayyiduna ‘Umar’s disapproval
Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has quoted the following in his Sahih:
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu’anhuma) reports that one of the wives of Sayyidnuna ‘Umar -Sayyidah ‘Atikah bint Zayd- (radiyallahu’anhum) had the habit of attending the Fajr and ‘Isha salahs in the masjid. She was asked: ‘Why do you do so , when you are aware that Sayyiduna ‘Umar dislikes that…?’
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 900)
This clearly shows that Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu’anhu) disliked his wife to go to the Masjid.
Imam Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah (rahimahullah) has named Sayyiduna ‘Umar and Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu’anhuma) from those Sahabah who disliked women attending the salah in the Masjid.
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 7696-7701)
You may read more on this topic here.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar