Chapter: The Ruling on Women Attending the Mosque

Our religion is perfect and all-embracing; it secures our interests in this world and the Hereafter and has come with goodness for Muslim men and women alike: “Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer—We will surely grant him a pleasant life, and We will surely reward them according to the best of what they used to do.” It therefore pays special attention to women, placing them in a position of honor and respect, provided they hold fast to its guidance and adorn themselves with its virtues.

Part of this care is that it allows a woman to come to the mosque so she may share in the blessings of congregational prayer and attend gatherings of remembrance, on condition that she observe modesty and the safeguards that distance her from fitnah (temptation) and protect her dignity.

Thus, if she seeks permission to go to the mosque, it is disliked to refuse her. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from the mosques of Allah, yet their homes are better for them, and let them go out unperfumed.”¹ This was related by Ahmad and Abu Dawud. The reason is that performing the obligatory prayer in congregation carries great merit for both men and women, as does walking to the mosque.