Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Brother
Assalalaikum Wa Raham Tullah
Please explain why the ladies should better offer their prayer at home rather than going to the mosque in respect to offer prayer in congregation,as it was emphasized by one the muslim scholar in one of the audio cassette?
Thanks,Fe Amaan Allah..

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Why women prayer better at home

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Abu Hurairah relates that the Prophet (saws) said: "Do not keep the slave girls of Allah (believing women) from going to the mosques of Allah. And they are to go out unperfumed."

Umm Humaid as-Sa'diyah came to the Messenger of Allah(saws) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, I love to pray with you." The Prophet(saws) said: "I am aware of that, but your salah in your residence is better for you than your salah in your people's mosque. And your salah in your people's mosque is better than your salah in the [larger] congregational Mosque."

Related by Ahmad and at-Tabarani

Ibn 'Umar reports that the Prophet (saws) said: "Do not prevent the women from going to the mosques, although their houses are better for them."

Related by Ahmad and Abu Dawud.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) did not prevent or forbid the believing women from offering their prayers in the Masjids in congregation, but as a gift and a Mercy from their Lord, he (saws) declared that the prayers of the believing women in their homes are better and more meritorious in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.

The wisdom behind this guidance lies in the fact that the nature of the women and her role in society is quite unlike the men; and if it was made obligatory for both the men and the women to attend the congregational prayers in the masjids, there would be none responsible to take care of the home and the children or any emergencies that may arise therein.

Besides, the modesty and the chastity of the women is better protected at her home; for leaving the home at the appointed five times of the day and night, every single day, would be an unbearable burden for the women to bear.

We reiterate again that Islam does not prohibit or prevent the believing women from offering their prayers in congregation in the masjids if they wish to do so; but their prayers in their homes are indeed better and more meritorious in the Sight of Allah than their prayers in the masjids.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan