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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Of Muslimahs and Mosques |
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| Barr |
| 04/09/02 at 05:19:51 |
| [center][size=3]Gender Issues[/size][/center] [center]Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq[/center] [This series of Khutbah was delivered during 1993 at the Islamic Center of Iowa City, Iowa. For brevity, the customary invocations toward the beginning and the end of the Khutbahs have been omitted.] III. Women's participation in the Mosque "Allah has promised to believers, men and women, Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in Gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the good please of Allah: that is the supreme felicity." [9/at-Tauba/71-72] I. General Observations In the last Khutbah, contributions of Muslim women in the earliest period of this Ummah were discussed. Throughout the period of Khilafat-e-Rashida their contributions continued. Even in the post-Rashidah period, the role continued, but gradually it changed. This part will be covered in another Khutbah, insha'Allah. As we discuss these issues, it is important to keep in perspective that there are clear guidance for men AND women regarding how to interact in a social environment and how to dress. These aspects will be covered in another Khutbah, insha'Allah. But whatever is being presented here is in the context of that guidance about mutual interaction. In this Khutbah, referring to our historical experience, we continue to develop the topic on women's participation in Islam, especially during our earliest era. II. Inconsistencies and Anomalies: Examples We have already established the fact that Muslim women participated in the broader life, even at the highest level of combat field. They served as nurses, as teachers, as narrators of hadith, as jurisprudents (faqiha). Yet, in our contemporary time, we observe that many among those who claim to have religious knowledge and expertise in Islam, and also those who are traditionally committed to Islam emphatically argue to domestication of women. [I deliberately use the word, domestication.] In no case, the traditional attitude is more clear than the attitude toward women's participation in Masjid. As if, it is critical for the purity and sanctity of Masjids that women rather not come to the masjid. Why is this anomaly? Let's consider some cases in point. Case I: Chapter titles in Abu Daud [similar titles are present in other collection] -- Chapter 880: Women may fight in the path of Allah [Umm Sulaim's participation in combat] -- Chapter 858: Excellence of fighting in the Sea [Umm Haram, sister of Umm Sulaim, who sought directly from the Prophet the honor of participating in the first sea battle of the Ummah and was martyred during the Khilafat of Uthman (r)] Now compare the two above with the following: -- Chapter 204: On STRICT prohibition of women from attending prayer in the Masjid. First, compare the titles. Anomalies are obvious. While women can participate in the battles and there is even excellence in battles on the sea front, there is strict prohibition about participating in prayers in Masjid. Does it make sense at all? Well, these titles have nothing to do with Islam. Rather, these titles are given by the collector and reflect his own preferences in wording these titles. Secondly, the chapter on women's participation in masjid contains one hadith and two statements from two prominent sahaba. -- Aishah (r) said: If the Prophet had seen what women have invented, he would have prevented them from visiting the mosque (for praying), as the women of the children of Israel were prevented. [Sunan Abu Dawood, Vol. I, # 569] -- This is not a hadith in the sense of a prophetic statement. This is conjectural statement from a great Sahabah. More importantly, there is absolutely no historical corroboration available as to what women have invented that would make their participation in Masjid a negative influence, when Masjid is supposed to be source of purification for the members of the society.. -- Abdullah ibn Mas'ud: the Prophet (s) said: It is more excellent for a woman to pray in her house than in her courtyard, and more excellent for her to pray in her private chamber than in her house. [Sunan Abu Dawood, Vol. I, #570] In contrast ... -- When A'tikah, wife of Hadhrat Umar (r) used to ask Umar for permission to go to the mosque (for congregational prayer), he used to keep silence. A'tikah would say: By Allah, I will go unless you prohibit me. And he would not prohibit. [Muat-ta of Imam Malik, #460] -- Ibn Umar reported: the Prophet (s) said: Do not prevent women from going to the mosque when they seek your permission. Bilal b. Abdullah said: By Allah, we shall certainly prevent them. On this Ibn Umar (r) turned towards him and reprimanded him [in another version, thumped the speaker's chest] so harshly as I have never hear him do before. Abdullah ibn Umar (r) said: I am narrating to you that which comes from the Prophet (s) and you (dare) say: By Allah we shall certainly prevent them. [Sahih Muslim, Vol. I, #885] 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 can't 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! Let's have a brief survey about women's participation in the Masjid. -- Women's 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 child's 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] -- Women's 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]. -- Women's participation in Jum'a prayer (a women memorizes one whole sura just by regularly attending Jum'a prayer) Umm Hisham narrated: "... I learnt surah al-Qahf, By the Glorious Qur'an, 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] IV. Conclusion: Even though it is unanimously agreed that women are not required to participate in Jum'ah prayer and even though I have not yet explained the importance of Muslim women's participation in Jum'ah, I offer invitation to Muslim sisters to start participating in Jum'ah prayer, not merely to listen to any khutbah selectively, but to come to Jum'ah on a regular basis as part of their regular Islamic routine. This invitation is not in any official capacity or on behalf of any Masjid committee, but as a father to my daughter and daughters of others, as a husband to my wife and wives of others, as a brother to my own sisters and to all other sisters in Islam, and even as a son to my mother and mothers of others, I must invite them all to build a masjid-oriented life. Of course, men have to be facilitators of women's participation and also they have to share responsibilities at home to facilitate as such. Muslim women's life is masjid-bound as much as the life of men. How do we then explain those hadith that says that it is better for women to pray at home, or even in the remotest corner of the home, or that women's masjid orientation might be a source of Fitna? That will be the topic of a future khutbah in future. |
| 04/09/02 at 05:21:28 |
| Barr |
| Re: Of Muslimahs and Mosques |
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| zomorrud |
| 04/09/02 at 13:20:41 |
| Assalamu alaikum, Great article sister Barr!! It has been my general observation, though, that many women go to the masjid with the dual intention of prayer and socialization!! Maybe this is true for some brothers as well, but they at least are quiet during the khutbah. On the recent good friday holiday, I had a chance to go to an inner city mosque for jum3ah, as opposed to the university location, since we had the day off. It was a lot of 'mujahadah' to listen to the khateeb through the chit-chat of the ladies surrounding me and the whining and fidgetting of their children. I was totally stressed out in that atmosphere of chaos and lack of respect. :( I was even tempted to ask the 2 women beside me why they came to jum3ah if they just wanted to chat together!! I may be wrong here, but it seems that masjids are also serving as community centres for many cities in N. America, and this perhaps takes away from the reverence the place is to receive ?? Usually after prayer, the hall is littered with kleenex and stuff. Why would anyone dare to soil a place that is considered a House of Allah if they truly respect it? Where and when did they learn that it is okay to behave this way in a masjid?? I mean, surely there has to be a balance and people should not feel too intimidated to go to a masjid. Yet, how they behave in a masjid says a lot about their understanding and practice of their religions, doesn't it? take care wassalam |
| 04/09/02 at 13:21:35 |
| zomorrud |
| Re: Of Muslimahs and Mosques |
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| Kathy |
| 04/09/02 at 21:55:17 |
| [slm] For those of you over seas- or travelors.... Do the women talk through out the khutba, there, also? |
| Re: Of Muslimahs and Mosques |
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| Murshidah |
| 04/09/02 at 22:44:51 |
| Asalaam Alaikum, I had the worst time at 'Eid prayer...After the salaah was finished the women's section turned into a party, no one listened to the khutbha, everyone was scrambling to the doors, kids were screaming, people were changing clothes, and I thought, My God what is this? This seems to be the norm tho, if'ts not Jummah just during any activity at the masjed, no one is quiet. It turns into talking about things which should not be discussed in the House of Allah, let alone in general. InshaAllah we shall all be guided to the peace and knowledge seeking a masjed should be all about...Ameen ya Rab... |
| Re: Of Muslimahs and Mosques |
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| Shahida |
| 04/10/02 at 06:41:03 |
| [slm] Kathy, I'm afraid that talking through the khutbah is a problem we face in most countries! :( Here in South Africa, every single mosque I have *ever* visited on a Friday or on Eid, has had women who would sit and chat *loudly* while the Khateeb was delivering the khutbah... It does not help to tell them afterwards either...the problem is that women are never taught how to behave in a masjid. I know we think that the respect and quiet should come *automatically*, but the truth is no-one in authority has ever told them how to behave. There is one mosque here that even *encourages* women to come and do as they please. When the Imaam got fed-up with the general behaviour in the mosque (men and women), he made a speech, and that was the last I ever saw of him. They obviously didn't like what he had to say, so they let him go...:( Anyway, my experience in Germany was the same, unfortunately, as well as in France, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, US etc :'(...although most sisters would get a good "talk" from one of the other sisters, once the prayer was finished, and inshaAllah, I hope they didn't do it again. In Palestine I visited several masajid, and never once found women talking, alhamdulillah. Maybe it was my "luck" ;) to arrive there on good Friday's, but that was a very pleasant experience, to show that we as sisters *can* actually behave well, alhamdulillah. I hope many mosques in other parts of the world don't have these problems, inshaAllah. [slm] Shahida |
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| jannah |
| 04/10/02 at 06:42:26 |
| [slm] Kathy in Damascus it is pin drop silence during the khutbah, except for some old old ladies making some comments or getting a drink or something :) The younger girls often bring notebooks and take notes. Usually there are pre-khutbah classes/lectures as well... Dunno how ppl in the US picked up the bad habit to speak during khutbah. It might be that in some other countries women do not go to the masjid, so when they come to the US they really have no idea what is right or wrong about masjid behavior... |
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| zomorrud |
| 04/10/02 at 07:09:20 |
| Assalamu alaikum, It has been a while, but when I lived in Kuwait, I don't recall unruliness on the women's side during khutbah. Noor lives there, maybe she can update us on this. What about in Singapore Barr?? Several years ago, I heard that there were masjids in Scotland (or somewhere else in UK) into which women were not allowed. There is no justification for this at all, since it is against sunnah. I, however wonder if it had anything to do with inattentiveness of some sisters?? take care wassalam |
| Re: Of Muslimahs and Mosques |
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| Barr |
| 04/10/02 at 07:48:28 |
| Assalamu'alaikum :-) [quote]What about in Singapore Barr?? [/quote] Alhamdulillah, we're a quiet bunch :-) [quote]Several years ago, I heard that there were masjids in Scotland (or somewhere else in UK) into which women were not allowed. There is no justification for this at all, since it is against sunnah. I, however wonder if it had anything to do with inattentiveness of some sisters?? [/quote] Well, there are lots of mosques in the UK that practise that and other parts of the world. I don't think it is about the inattentiveness of sisters, but rather a differring, albeit, misinterpreted, view that women are not allowed in mosques. I heard that there is a mosque in the UK that "facilitate" such unattendance by having CCTVs of khutbahs channeled to a home(s) instead. Although this is well and good, but it drums in the mis-fact that women should just stay at home and not be a part of the mosque community. The inattentiveness of sisters during Jumaah, more than others, reflect the state and level of tarbiyah of our sisters. So, we've got a lot of damage-control and development to do, for our sisters. Allahua'lam :-) |
| 04/11/02 at 09:12:12 |
| Barr |
| Re: Of Muslimahs and Mosques |
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| jannah |
| 04/10/02 at 08:08:19 |
| [quote] I heard that there is a mosque in the UK that "facilitate" such unattendance by having CCTVs of khutbahs channeled to a home(s) instead. [/quote] they told me about that and i was suitably impressed/perterbed(sp?) but they said that it was mostly for mothers and other sisters who would not be able to attend jumuah because of their children and/or other reasons... let's hope it doesn't develop into more than that...because honestly listening to a tape or video isn't the same as actually being there.. being with sisters, listening to a teacher, asking questions etc... |
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| M.F. |
| 04/10/02 at 08:37:19 |
| Assalamu alaikum, It seems like there's a lot more chatting and socializing going on in the masajid in countries where Muslims are a minority and only get to see each other at limited times and places like at the masjid during prayer times. In countries where there are mostly Muslims, the women go to the masajid not to socialize (they have other places and times for socialization) but to listen to the khutba and pray. I think one of the other reasons why there's a lot of talking going on during the khutba is that it's sometimes in a language that the women don't speak, so it doesn't really make sense to them as a khutba. It's just background noise to them. wallahu a'lam |
| Re: Of Muslimahs and Mosques |
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| Kathy |
| 04/10/02 at 09:22:56 |
| [slm] ;)This is a little bit radical- I guess it would be "rebelious"- but what revert isn't a bit of a rebel?... About 12 years ago I lived in Chicago. On Devon Avenue there was a masjid that did not allow women. One day I was shopping on the Ave and had to make prayers- and perhaps a point. I was with a non muslim friend and we went to the masjid. You should have seen the expression on the brothers face when he saw us! After salaaming and explaining that I had to make prayers, he shut the door and said he would be right back. Now remember I have an uncovered female with me- I was dressed pretty westernized- albiet covered, and I am a white American female. We could hear the debated raised conversations- in urdu... and then heard a bunch of foot steps come to the door. A brother- then opened the door and escorted us to the room to pray! Masha Allah! |
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| eleanor |
| 04/10/02 at 11:34:16 |
| [slm] Well the mosque where my husband tends to go does not have a women's section. This is due to the fact that mosques here are mostly in back rooms or cramped conditions and also that the wives of the masjid-going-brothers have no interest in going to the Mosque, they see it as the men's domain. That said, I can pretty much imagine that if I wanted to pray, "out of hours" so to speak, the brothers in question would be happy to accomodate me. wasalaam eleanor :-* |
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| Kashif |
| 04/10/02 at 13:03:42 |
| assalaamu alaikum A mosque in the UK that does broadcasts khutbahs? First i've heard of that. My mum also said that in the msoques headed up by committees of men frmo back home, the women talk thru the khutbah. But alhumdulillah, in Masjid at-Tawheed and some other masajd this isnt' a problem. I think this is because the sisters that go there are young and practising and have come across the ahadith stressing the need for silence during the khutbah. Also, a really nice deature is that they have two sections for women: one for sisters alone, and another for sisters with young children. Good thinking, alhumdulillah! Kashif Wa Salaam |
| NS |
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| Noor |
| 04/11/02 at 04:04:22 |
| [slm] Yes, there is no talking during the khutbahs here (at least in all the mosques I've been to) One friday, a few weeks ago there were some women who started talking or who would give loong greetings on entering, even in the middle of the khutbah. Then at the end of it, one sister, may Allah bless her, gently scolded them, and cited the ahadith for maintaining complete silence while the imam is speaking. Since then, we've had no problems alhumdulillah And during Ramadan, a few women started to bring their young children ,who would either cry or start running around creating a racket, when one elderly woman got very angry and shouted that this is a masjid not a nursery. The kids weren't seen after that day. Last summer we went to CA for a vacation, and wanted to pray maghrib in a mosque which was actually a small rented house. Well the imam (I think he was the imam) said we (my mother and I ) couldn't pray there, but then he took us to his home which wasn't far away and we prayed with his wife, so it was ok. wassalamu alaikum :-* |
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| Shahida |
| 04/11/02 at 05:28:47 |
| [slm] Am glad to hear that things in other countries are not as "unruly" as what I am used to, alhamdulillah...I am also pleased that the sisters were open to the advice given to them after the prayer, and that they did not repeat that behaviour. In South Africa, a large proportion of the Muslims are from Indian/Pakistani origin...I don't know why, but *those* mosques run by them never have place for women. I live down the road from such a mosque. It is the saddest thing, that i ALWAYS see, at prayer time, the men will go into the mosque, and their wives and daughters will stay outside in the car. Is Salaah only compulsory on men? Certainly not!!! I think it is extremely depressing that sometimes, even when I offer the women to come to my home to pray, that they refuse. It has become part of our collective psyche, that the men should pray on time, but this is not the case for women. The ladies will sit through Thuhr and Asr at a wedding and it will not even worry them, while their men attend the mosque adjoining the wedding hall. I was once dropped off at home, just before Maghrib, and I had forgotten my key, so i could not get into the house. Nobody else was home. Our neighbours were not home either (except for one), so I decided to go to the mosque. The men were extremely rude, even after i explained that I would be quiet and invisible right at the back of the mosque. My mere presence was enough to make the Muathin forget he had to sound the Athan!!! Other men, upon entering the mosque would not see me, until someone showed them theres a girl in the mosque, and they would mutter something I couldnt understand, and make nasty faces at me! But I refused to leave, and they had no choice but to leave me alone after a while. I prayed Maghrib with them, and left when I knew there would be someone else at home. My family got really upset, of course, what were those men expecting me to do? Stand outside and wait for osmeone to come along and rob or rape me? When I would be *perfectly* safe inside the mosque??? I have never had this problem anywhere in Palestine...even at prayer time, the men were always prepared to accomodate the "travelling" women. That is how it should be, the mosque is there for EVERYONE, and it is not right to refuse entry to anyone... Salam Shahida |
| Re: Of Muslimahs and Mosques |
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| Barr |
| 04/11/02 at 07:04:22 |
| Wa'alaikumussalam warahmatullah :-) [quote]A mosque in the UK that does broadcasts khutbahs? First i've heard of that. [/quote] I received confirmation from a brother, that these facilities are now widely available in towns such as Blackburn, Bradford, Preston and others. I was told that the mosques had acquired transmitters connected to their public address systems (microphones on the mimbar) and households can tune in to the frequency (radio waves) to receive the signals. I'll confirm with him about the CCTVs though, inshaAllah. I may be wrong. I agree that it is useful for those who cannot attend mosque due to reasons like old age or other difficulties etc, as mentioend by Jannah.. it's just that if this is the "solution" so that women can learn coz they are not allowed to go to mosques.. then.. that's a different story. Allahua'lam :-) |
| 04/11/02 at 09:09:36 |
| Barr |
| Re: Of Muslimahs and Mosques |
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| nouha |
| 04/11/02 at 16:08:58 |
| [slm] i remember this past ramadan, there was an iftar in one of the albaynian mosques, it was an iftar for both men and women. this particualr masjid has two doors one for the sisters and one for the brothers me, seeker and adi were outside after the iftar waiting for our ride to come by adn pick us up, we saw this niqabi sister come our way and asked if we saw her husband. we said no, and she said she went aroudn teh corner where these group of young guys made comments to her etc. so she was feelign scared and was frantically lookign for her hubby. then we decided to knock on the brothers side so we can get her hubby. a brother opened the door, saw that we were sisters and slammed the door shut on us. we were sooooooooo mad, i mean SUBHANALLAH, like shahida said what if those group of young men did somethign bad to that sister and she needed help, and then she gets a door slammed shut in her face!!!! this is an issue that needs to be brought up in masjids that dont allow women. people should have khutbahs about this! arghhhhhhhh..... just thinking about that incident makes me mad!!!! wasalam nouha:) |
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| zeyn |
| 04/11/02 at 17:47:01 |
| actually in leicester they do have the special transmitters in the houses near the masjid...all u do is tune into a special frequency so ppl here anything that is over the pa system..it threw me the first time i heard it when visiting relatives there zeyn |
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| imaazh |
| 04/11/02 at 21:34:13 |
I spent the last week of Ramadhan last year in Singapore and [i]Subhanallah[/i], the nights that i prayed taraweeh there, were the best masjid experiences i ever had in my life. There was such respect, concentration and reverence in the whole atmosphere; the sisters were so intent in their salaat and afterwards during the khutbah. I'd never experiened that before. I think i cried through the whole 20 raka'ats. The :'( were also caused by a whole heap of other stuff - but being in the house of allah and performing salat made it seem like it would all turn out alright, and afterwards I felt so peaceful. It really makes me realise, that by being unaware of the apropriate etiquette in masjids, our fellow muslim sisters miss out on so much spiritual fulfilment. Sure you could have similar experiences performing salat and listening to qira'at and a khutba on tape at home, but .... it's not the same as being there and experiencing such peace in the company of your fellow muslimahs. Its really sad that a lot of mosques don't allow women entry and by doing so they truly deny their mothers, sisters, wives and daughters the opportunity to learn more about their deen and become a more active part of their communities. Inshaallah, if we can make the effort to educate our communities, both sisters and brothers, and open up communal dialogue we will be able to find a middle ground. As Allah says: "Invite all to the way of Allah with hikmah and beautiful preaching." I think this can also apply to the members of the muslim ummah. allahu alam [wlm] |
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