Is It Permissible for a Woman to Pray in All Prayer Spaces?

Answered By Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Fayez Awad

Question

Is it permissible for a woman to pray in all prayer spaces?

Answer

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. Blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah, his Family, and his Companions.

Permissibility

In principle, it is permissible for a woman to pray in all mosques and prayer spaces under certain conditions, which are detailed as follows:

Allah (Most High), in His infinite wisdom and knowledge, created humans as males and females and imposed upon them general obligations applicable to both genders, such as the pillars of faith and Islam and other duties. He also assigned specific rulings that align with their nature and roles in this life.

Allah’s Kindness

Among these rulings is the obligation of attending Friday and congregational prayers, which has been mandated for men, either as a requirement or a recommendation, with details that are beyond the scope of this question.

However, out of Allah’s great kindness towards women, He did not require them to attend Friday and congregational prayers, even though it is permissible for them to do so. In fact, praying at home is better and more rewarding for them. This is agreed upon by the four schools of jurisprudence: the Hanafi school, the Maliki school, the Shafi’i school, and the Hanbali school. [Marghinani, al-Hidaya; See: Kasani, Bada’i‘ al-Sana’i‘; Hattab, Mawahib al-Jalil; Nawawi, al-Majmu‘; Buhuti, Kashshaf al-Qina‘; Ibn Qudama, al-Mughni]

It is reported by Ibn ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from attending the mosques of Allah.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

It is also narrated by ‘Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) that she said: “The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to pray Fajr, and the women would leave wrapped in their cloaks, not recognized due to the darkness.” [Ibid.]

The term “wrapped in their cloaks” refers to being covered with their garments, and “darkness” refers to the darkness of the last part of the night mixed with the light of dawn.

Additionally, Abu Qatada (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“I stand for prayer intending to prolong it, but I hear the cry of a child and shorten my prayer, disliking to make things difficult for his mother.” [Bukhari; Abu Dawud; Ibn Maja]

These hadiths and others indicate that women used to attend prayers behind the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) in the mosque, and the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) was aware of this, signifying that their attendance was not discouraged. If it had been otherwise, he would have prohibited them from attending.

More Superior

Moreover, the superiority of praying at home for a woman is indicated by the narration of Ibn ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“Do not prevent your women from going to the mosques, but their houses are better for them.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

Abdullah Ibn Mas‘ud (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“A woman’s prayer in her inner chamber is better than her prayer in her house, and her prayer in her house is better than her prayer in her courtyard.” [Ibn Khuzayma]

However, the permissibility of a woman praying in mosques and similar prayer spaces is conditioned upon the following:

First: She Should Not Go Out Wearing Perfume or Adorned

Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“Any woman who applies perfume should not attend the Isha prayer with us.” [Muslim; Abu Dawud]

Zaynab, the wife of Ibn Mas‘ud (Allah be pleased with them both), said: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said to us:

“If one of you attends the mosque, she should not touch perfume.” [Muslim; Ibn Khuzayma]

This is because a woman going out perfumed or adorned may lead to temptation, which is a great harm. Preventing harm takes precedence over bringing benefits.

Second: She Should Go to the Mosque with Her Husband’s Permission

This is supported by the narration of Ibn ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with them both), that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“If your wives ask permission to go to the mosque, do not prevent them.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

It is also reported by Ibn ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with them both), that a woman used to attend the Fajr and ‘Isha prayers in congregation at the mosque, and when she was asked why she went out, knowing that ‘Umar disliked it and was protective, she said:

“What prevents him from stopping me?” They replied: “The statement of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace): ‘Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from attending the mosques of Allah.’” [Bukhari; Muslim]

Ruling on the Husband’s Permission

It is recommended for the husband to permit his wife to go to the mosque for prayer if there is no fear of temptation. If he prevents her, it is not prohibited for him to do so, which is the view of the Maliki, Shafi‘i, and Hanbali schools. [Hattab, Mawahib al-Jalil; Nawawi, al-Majmu‘; Burhan al-Din Ibn Muflih, al-Mubdi‘]

A woman who goes to the mosque under these two conditions should have a sincere intention for Allah (Most High). Her aim should be to pray, worship, learn, or seek knowledge, not for entertainment or any other trivial purpose.

May Allah guide us to what pleases Him and protect all Muslims, men and women, from all evil. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the One Who responds to prayers.

[Shaykh] Dr. Muhammad Fayez Awad