III. Women and Masjid at the time of the Prophet (s) Yes, there are etiquettes of participating in Masjid for men and women. But participation of men in congregational prayers and Masjid activities are mandatory for men in general, while women are merely exempt. However, the first generation of Muslim women understood the Islamic guidance as categorically emphasizing a Masjid-bound life. It is also noteworthy that they were usually very conscious and outspoken about their rights, and they probably understood that to protect their rights and status, they cant be aloof from the Masjid, which is the focal point of the Islamic way of life. Be absent from the Masjid, and you would be marginalized in such a society! Lets have a brief survey about womens participation in the Masjid. -- Womens participation in the Masjid/prayers: Anas Bin Malik: I never prayed behind any Imam a prayer lighter and more perfect than that behind the Prophet and he used to cut short the prayer whenever he heard the cries of a child lest he should put the childs mother to trial. [Sahih al-Bukhari: Vol. 1, #676] -- Women used to live in the Masjid! Aisha narrated: A (previously mistreated) but freed slave girl came to Rasulullah and embraced Islam. She had a tent or a small room with a low roof in the mosque.. . [Sahih al-Bukhari: Vol. 1, #430] -- Women used to clean Masjid Abu Hurairah: A man or a woman used to clean the mosque. (most probably a woman according to a sub-narrator). According to another hadith, the Prophet offered her funeral prayer at her grave. [Sahih al-Bukhari: Vol. 1, #450] -- Womens attachment to the Masjid (one wife of the Prophet had so much attachment) Anas: Once Rasulullah came to the Mosque, he noticed a rope strung between two columns. He inquired as to why that rope was so fastened between two columns. The Companions said: Hazrat Zainab had tied this rope only to take rest when tired in the course of her prayers. Rasulullah said: Untie it. You should pray so long as you feel pleasant. When you feel tired you should go to rest. [Bukhari and Muslim as reported in Riyadus Saleheen, Vol. I, #146]. -- Womens participation in Juma prayer (a women memorizes one whole sura just by regularly attending Juma prayer) Umm Hisham narrated: ... I learnt surah al-Qahf, By the Glorious Quran, from no other source than the tongue of Rasulullah (s) who used to recite it every Friday on the pulpit ... [Sahih Muslim, Vol. I, #1894] -- Women had programs and activities in the masjid. Asma bint Yazid (r): Rasulullah (once) passed through the mosque, when a group of women was seated in the Masjid, he made a sign of greeting to them by raising his hand. [Sunan Abu Dawood and Sunan at-Tirmizi as reported in Riyadus Saleheen, #865] https://youtube/watch?v=YJFoP_0aTAw&feature=youtu.be
Posted on: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 03:22:48 +0000
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