Women’s Right to Attend Prayer
📖Sahih al-Bukhari 858
Ibn Umar reported: One of the wives of Umar attended dawn and evening prayers in congregation in the mosque. It was said to her, “Why do you go out while you know Umar dislikes it and he is jealous?” She said, “What stops him from prohibiting me?” It was said, “The statement of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: Do not prevent the maidservants of Allah from the mosques of Allah.”
This hadith highlights the Islamic ruling that women are allowed to attend prayers in the mosque. The Prophet ﷺ clearly instructed that women should not be prevented from entering mosques, emphasizing their right to participate in congregational worship. Even though Umar’s wife knew her husband disliked it, she acted within her rights, as no prohibition was placed by her husband.
Practical Considerations Today:
- Societal Context Matters: If the society or environment is unsafe or unsuitable for women to attend the mosque, it may be better for them to pray at home.
- Permission from Family: While Islam permits women to pray in mosques even if a husband dislikes it, maintaining harmony in the family is important. If the environment is supportive and safe, women are encouraged to attend congregational prayers.
- Rights and Balance: Women have the right to attend the mosque, but discretion is advised based on societal conditions, safety, and family relations.
What We Learn Today:
- Women’s Right to Worship in Mosques: Islam grants women access to communal worship spaces.
- Spiritual Participation: Women’s involvement in mosque prayers strengthens their spiritual connection and promotes community engagement.
- Balance Between Rights and Social Realities: While the right exists, women may weigh societal conditions and family harmony when deciding to attend.
- Role of Husbands: A husband’s dislike does not override the woman’s right to worship, but maintaining family peace is encouraged.
Quranic Context:
📖Quran 9:71
The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have mercy upon them.
This verse indicates that prayer is good and both believing men and believing women are allies in promoting righteousness. What is good should generally be allowed, but mistakes or misunderstandings can happen.
- Sometimes a husband may not allow his wife to attend the mosque because of societal concerns, he may fear harm, negative influence, or bad reputation.
- If a woman assesses the environment and believes she is safe, it is permissible for her to attend the mosque and participate in congregational prayer.
- In modern times, mosques may be far or the environment may invite negative comments, so praying at home is often easier and recommended to avoid hardship, while still fulfilling the right and obligation of worship.
📖Quran 2:114
…But do not prevent the servants of Allah from entering the mosques of Allah…
(While primarily addressing prevention, scholars cite this as general support for allowing access to mosques, which includes women.)