By: Islampour Karimi
Translator: Vahid Pourtajrishi
The present article tries to describe the presence of women in mosque issue in historical and dynamic jurisprudential view. The author has considered to this issue according to the available historical examples, verses and narrations of Quran and the grand prophet of Islam’s words. This article is arranged in five parts:
In the first part, the history of women presence in mosques is studied.
In second part, presence of women in mosques was studied in views of jurisprudence and jurisprudents of Islam.
In third part, the required conditions for presence of women in mosque and the other social aspects are considered.
Also prominent role of religious women and mothers in education of children was studied in forth part.
Finally role of mosques in time enrichment of women and families is considered in fifth part.
Part 1: The history of women presence in mosque
By investigating the history of women presence in mosque in Quran and narrations view, it is clear that presence of women in mosques and temples had been a regular and legitimate affair in most of religions such as Isla. We can find many examples in holy Quran and history of Islam which certify this claim:
a) Inspirations to Imran Bin Ash’ham:
Before birthday of Maria (PBUH), the master inspired to Imran Bin Ash’ham, her father, grandson of Solomon (PBUH) his fatherhood and promised to him that his child will be able to treat ills by command of God and vivify dead people. Ash’ham described this promise to his wife, ‘’Honneh’’. When Honneh got pregnant, she vowed her child to temple to be servant for prayers of God. After birth of Maria, her mother wondered of her sexuality. It was a big doubt for her that how Maria could be the prophet of God? She was worry because of her daughter’s menstruation issue. But God protected her from pollutions and she never got period. The Grand prophet of Islam (PBUH) names Maria in the name of ‘’Batoul’’ in his letter to Negus. Batoul means whom never get menstruated and is pure all her life.
b) Constructing special mehrab (altar) for Maria (PBUH) in mosque:
According to narrations, there was constructed a special mehrab for Maria in the mosque. God commanded Maria to pray along en in mosque and she prayed in mehrab.
Presence of women in mosques in the grand prophet of Islam’s era:
We face to some cases after appearance of Islam and in grand prophet of Islam (PBUH)’s era which demonstrate importance of presence of women in Islam. After appearance of Islam, women achieved high dignity in society. Islam rejected many of wrong customs and beliefs about women. We point to some of these examples in below:
1) Presence of Khadija the first prayer in masjid-Ul-Haraam
When the Grand Prophet of Islam (PBUH), Imam Ali (PBUH) and Khadija (the wife of Prophet) were the only three Muslims on earth, they pray collectively. Afif Kandy says: “I was businessman. When I came to mecca something attracted me. When all people were praying their idols, there were only three persons who prayed into Al-Aqsa Temple. Abbas bin Abdul Mutalleb was beside of me when is asked him who are they? He said: “They are my nephew Muhammad, his wife, Khadija and third one is my another nephew, Ali”.
2) Swear allegiance of women with the grand prophet of Islam in mosque
After prophet’s triumph in Mecca War and allegiance with men, he invited women to be alleged to him. The content of this allegiance is described in 60:12 verse of Quran. Quran Says:
“O Prophet, when the believing women come to you pledging to you that they will not associate anything with Allah , nor will they steal, nor will they commit unlawful sexual intercourse, nor will they kill their children, nor will they bring forth a slander they have invented between their arms and legs, nor will they disobey you in what is right - then accept their pledge and ask forgiveness for them of Allah . Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful”.
Women were presented in ‘’Dhou Qiblatain Mosque’’ in change of Qibla direction time. ‘’Noulah Bint Slim’’ is one of these women who was presented there.
3) The Grand Prophet’s advice to women to leave mosque after men
That is narrated that someday men and women were going out from mosque together. The prophet of Islam told women: ‘’ it is better to wait till men go out firstly, then you can leave the mosque also’’