I would like to know whether muslim women are disallowed to pray in mosques?

Answer

Wa alaikumus salaam

Respected enquirer,

Indeed, women in the time of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) did attend congregational prayers in the Mosque, and they were not prevented from doing so. The Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) himself advised against preventing women from attending congregational prayers.

However, this permission was conditional and temporary. It was restricted to the golden days of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) when modesty, morality and purity were at its peak. Women were then allowed to participate in some of the congregational prayers behind the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) and that too under some conditions such as: being accompanied by a Mahram, leave straight after the Fardh Salah, wearing simple clothing, observing all the requirements of Shariah etc.

The reason we say it was temporary is because the Sahabah (Radhiyallahu anhum), the transmitters and compilers of our pure Shariah, understood it such. Umar (Radhiyallahu anhum), the great companion of the Holy prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) and Caliph of the time, witnessing the change in people’s characters, issued a verdict that women shouldn’t be coming to the Masjid anymore. This was accepted unanimously by the other Sahabah who are famously known to be ardent followers of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) and that’s how the Ummah understood and practice on for centuries after. This clearly shows that the permission was only temporary.

We also have the famous narration of Aisha (radiallahu anha) who said that “If the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) was alive to see what women are doing now (in A’isha’s time), he would surely have prevented them from attending the prayers in the Mosque just as the women of Banu Isra’il were prevented.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).

The renowned Hadith scholar and Hanafi jurist, Imam Badr al-Din al-Ayni (Allah have mercy on him) states whilst commentating on the above statement of Sayyida A’isha:
“Had A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) witnessed what women are involved in the various types of innovations and wrongdoings these days, she would have been even more extreme in her preventing women from entering the Mosques……Also the fact that there had not been a long time between her statement and the demise of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace), and also the fact that women in her time were not involved in even one portion of a thousand of what women are up to these days.” (Umdat al-Qari, 3/230)

Similarly, Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam), the great scholar among the Sahabah used to refuse women entry to the Mosque for Friday prayers and would say: “Go, your homes are better for you.” (Recorded by Imam Tabrani. See: al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib, 1/190).

Based on the above, the various classical Hanafi Fuqaha (and also the majority of the contemporary Hanafi Ulama of the Subcontinent) state that it is disliked (makruh) for women, whether married or single, to go to the Mosque for congregational prayers.
Imam al-Kasani (Allah have mercy on him) states:
“It will not be permitted for young women to go to the Mosque for congregational prayers due to the fact that Sayyiduna Umar (Allah be pleased with him) prevented women from doing so. Moreover, women’s going to the Masjid is a cause of mischief (between men and women) and mischief (fitna) is Haram, and that which leads to something Haram will also be unlawful.” (Bada’i al-Sana’i, 1/157)

Moreover, in Deen, quality of Ibaadah is considered and encouraged. The better the quality of the Ibaadah, the more virtuous it is in the Sight of Almighty Allah (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam). Contemplate on the following Ahaadith:

Umm Salama (radiallahu anha) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said: “The best Mosque for a woman is the inner part of her home.” (Musnad Ahmad & Tabrani)

Umm Salama (radiallahu anha) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said: “A woman’s prayer in her inner room is better than her prayer in the outside room, and her prayer in the outside room is better than her prayer in the courtyard, and her prayer in the courtyard is better than her prayer in the Mosque.” (Mu’jam of Imam Tabrani)

Abdullah ibn Mas’ood (Radhiyallahu anhum) that the Prophet (Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said: "A woman’s prayer in her house is better than her prayer in her courtyard, and her prayer in her bedroom is better than her prayer in her house." Narrated by Abu Dawood (570) and al-Tirmidhi (1173)

Unfortunately, those who were daring in opposing the consensus of the Ummah regarding this matter, are facing major challenges today. Women are leaving their house chores and children unattended in order to go to the Masjid. It gets even worse on Eid days and Jummah days when young ladies and girls, clad in beautiful abayas and clothes, bangles in the hands, Hijaabs tied in a fashion way, drenched in perfume and make ups, are parading on the street to go to the Masjid or Eid gah. What a sad state of affairs! So many laws of Allah have to be trampled on in order to accommodate one practice!