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:

Assalamu Alaykum Brother Burhan

kindly let me know the followings:

during Fridays, congregational prayer in mosque, compulsory for women also?  as the women in our families pray zuhr at home during friday also.  We donot go to mosque.  someone told my granny, jumma prayer is must for women to pray in mosque.  kindly advice brother.

thanks n jazakallah

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Answer:

Women's Jumuah compulsory in mosque

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.

The term ‘Jumuah’ is derived from the Arabic root word ‘Jama’ which means a gathering; thus ‘Yaum-ul-Jumuah’ or Friday means the ‘day of gathering’, and the ‘Jumuah’ prayer signifies and implies that the believers gather in a place with the sole intention to worship their Lord together.

Your Question: during Fridays, congregational prayer in mosque, compulsory for women also?  as the women in our families pray zuhr at home during friday also.  We donot go to mosque.  someone told my granny, jumma prayer is must for women to pray in mosque.

Umm Humaid as-Sa'diyah came to the Messenger of Allah(saws)  and said: "O Messenger of Allah (saws), 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.

It is indeed true and accurate that the Messenger of Allah (saws) guided the believing women that although it is permissible for them to offer their prayers in congregation with the believers in the mosques, it is better for them to offer their prayers at home, declaring that their prayers at home are more meritorious and earn more reward in the Sight of Allah than their prayers in the mosques.

Though women during the times of our Prophet p.b.u.h. used to pray the normal prayers and Jumaa prayers in the mosques, it is advisable for women to perform all their prayers in their houses. They are not required ever to go to the mosques to say their normal or Jumaa prayers.

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

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