It is true …

It is true that at the time of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam), women were attending the Masjid. If people use this as a proof to allow women to come to Masjid, then the conditions must be same as those prevailed in the time of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam). To do something without respecting its conditions is a kind of deception.

One must agree that the context in which Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) had given such authorisation has changed. Thus, one cannot use what existed at the time of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) as proof to reintroduce it because this authorisation does not apply to the context and the condition that we are living nowadays. This applies especially in our time where there are the so-called Islamologists who are distorting the concept of pardah.

Hazrat Aisha (Radiyallahu Anha) understood this well. The degradation, deterioration and the change in attitude and manner that she observed in her time led her to say that in such a context, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) would never have authorised women to continue to attend the Masjid.

This is about permission to come but at no time was there a campaign to encourage women to come to the Masjid as if it is obligatory on them. Such a campaign is anti-Sunnah and it is against the wish and desire of our beloved Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam).

[English version of "Li vrai …" – Al Jamiat – Vol.5 No.10]