provided that the woman does not venture out in a manner that is forbidden—such as leaving scented with perfume or displaying her adornment—for that is impermissible. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Any woman who has applied incense should not attend the ʿIshaʾ prayer with us.”

3. The permissibility of bringing young children into the mosque. This applies when the child is actually with his mother; were the child outside the mosque but nearby, the report would give no indication. Yet it is unlikely that a woman inside the mosque could hear her child crying at home, so it is apparent that their children were with them, which constitutes evidence that bringing children into the mosques is allowed—on the condition that they cause no harm to the mosque itself or to the worshippers. If it is feared that they might damage the mosque, for example by soiling it with urine or other impurities, they must be prevented; likewise, if it is feared they will disturb the congregation by screaming, running about, or making a commotion, they are also to be prevented. When none of these harms is anticipated, there is no objection to bringing them to the mosque.

As for the report, “Keep your children and the insane away from your mosques,” it is weak.

4. A person who is praying is permitted to hear what is going on around him; he is not required to cover his ears. Rather, he may listen, but if what he hears would distract him, then he must not pray there.