The practice today in most Mosques is to create a barrier between male and female worshippers in such a way that they cannot see each other. Also the women cannot see the Imam or any other male worshipper admonishing the congregation.
In most cases, mosques that do not have this demarcation for female worshippers are thought of as introducing something in Islam. The question is, what is the Islamic stance on Barrier in the mosque?
It is important to observe that the creation of barriers or demarcation between male and female worshippers was not practiced during the time of the Prophet nor his companions. History has shown that Bilal (the mu’azzin of the Prophet) used to go between rows of both male and female to collect sadaqa (charity). Similarly the Prophet admonished believers that while in a congregation prayer if an Imam make a mistake, the male should say “Subhan Allah”, while the female should clap.
Also during the time of Caliph Umar, a woman challenged him in the Mosque when he was attempting to set a limit for the amount of dowry to be given to would-be wife. From all these, it is clear that the issue of creating a barrier is a later practice probably to restrict the mixing of male and female.
However, it is worth emphasising that believers should create the habit of restraint not only in the mosque but anywhere. Also it is important for our female worshippers to be allowed to see the Imam while admonishing for this will create more concentration and be more natural.
In most cases, mosques that do not have this demarcation for female worshippers are thought of as introducing something in Islam. The question is, what is the Islamic stance on Barrier in the mosque?
It is important to observe that the creation of barriers or demarcation between male and female worshippers was not practiced during the time of the Prophet nor his companions. History has shown that Bilal (the mu’azzin of the Prophet) used to go between rows of both male and female to collect sadaqa (charity). Similarly the Prophet admonished believers that while in a congregation prayer if an Imam make a mistake, the male should say “Subhan Allah”, while the female should clap.
Also during the time of Caliph Umar, a woman challenged him in the Mosque when he was attempting to set a limit for the amount of dowry to be given to would-be wife. From all these, it is clear that the issue of creating a barrier is a later practice probably to restrict the mixing of male and female.
However, it is worth emphasising that believers should create the habit of restraint not only in the mosque but anywhere. Also it is important for our female worshippers to be allowed to see the Imam while admonishing for this will create more concentration and be more natural.
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