has applied incense must not join us for the late ‘Isha’ prayer.”

Al-Bukhari (869) and Muslim (445) likewise transmit from ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said, “Had the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) seen what we have seen of women today, he would have barred them from the mosques.”

Qadi ‘Iyad said: “The scholars stipulate that a woman’s going out should be at night, without adornment, without perfume, and without mixing with men. ‘Perfume’ here includes displaying one’s finery and wearing jewellery. If any of that is present, it becomes obligatory to prevent them, for fear of temptation.”

Ibn al-Qayyim said: “It is incumbent upon the ruler to prohibit the intermingling of men and women in markets, public parks, and places where men congregate, and he bears responsibility for doing so.”