Question:

I know a question similar to this has been responded to previously, hence i apologise for repeating it, but i need some clarification on a few points.

I follow the opinion that it is makruh tahreemi for women to attend jama'ah in the masjid, however does this ruling still apply to salatul taraweeh? The recitation of the Qur'an is completed in congregation and if I was to pray at home, as i am not a hafizah of the Qur'an, it would not be possible for me to finish it's recitation. Also this Ramadhan, I went to a masjid where the Qur'an was recited beautifuly with tarteel and I was able to concentrate very deeply on the words of Allah (swt) and connect to them. Several times tears would fill my eyes because of this connection. This not only purified my heart spiritually, but increased my imaan in a way which would not be possible if i was to read Qur'an on my own or listen to it on tape. Salatul taraweeh in jam'aah disciplines my nafs as i have to listen to the Qur'an attentively. Whereas when i pray it at home my nafs gets easily distracted. Also i know of some very well-renowned Hanafi scholars in Syria who state that is is makruh tahreemi for women to attend the 5 daily salaat in the masjid, but as salatul taraweeh comes only once annualy, they allow their women-folk to attend the masjid for the recitation of the Qur'an.

Another issue for me is that i am trying to do hifz and I feel it benefits me immensly to listen to the whole Qur'an by the imam in this month. It enables me to enhance my recitation as well as review the recitation of the entire Qur'an. And this is what Jibreel (as) used to do with the prophet (saw) in Ramadhan. I understand completely the view of our hanafi jurists that in time of fitnah women should not go to the masaajid, but how else can we fulfil our spiritual/educational needs? Especiallay now when our husbands/ fathers/ brothers do not even come close to the calibre of the sahaabah and tabi'een. At least in those times, the men would come home and teach their wives, but now it's almost like every soul has to work for itself. I also think the scholars should also categorically state that it is equally disliked for women to enagage in any financial work, whether that be working as a doctor or on the till. Surely that is worse than attending the best places on the earth i.e. the masaajid of Allah.

Answer:

It is not permitted for women to pray in the Masjid due to the fitnah that is created by women who come immodestly dressed. However, if women attend the Taravih observing proper Hijab, and it is with the intention of increasing your knowledge of the Deen, then it is permitted.

Mufti Mohammed Sajjad

Wallahu Aalam bis-sawab

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The answer to this question is the opinion of the scholar and does not reflect the opinion of other scholars of As-Suffa Institute and As-Suffa Institute as an organisation.