Why do we only see male muslims praying in the mosques, Where do the women go to pray?

Question

I am not muslim and I am curious about this.

Answer 1

Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim - In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Hello. It is certainly permitted for women to pray in the mosque. Indeed, there is a tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him, that forbids men from restricting the women from the mosque:

`Abd Allah ibn `Umar said that the Prophet (s) said: "When women ask permission for going to the mosque, do not prevent them" (Muslim, English 1:240 #884)

"Do not prevent Allah's maid-servants from going to the mosque" (Muslim #886)

"Do not prevent women from going to the mosque at night" (for `Isha prayer) (Muslim #888); Abu Hurayrah reports the same as #886 but with the ending: "but let them go out without perfuming themselves." (Abu Dawud, English 1:149 #565).

So it is permissible for women to go to the mosque to pray, even in the morning before sunrise and after dark for the night (ishaa') prayer.

Now, that being said, it is better for a woman to pray in her home. While the congregational prayer is obligatory for men, and they are rewarded more than 20 times more for a prayer in the mosque over a prayer at home, the reverse is true for women. Their best prayer is at home:

according to the hadith of Umm Humayd the wife of Abu Humayd al-Sa`id. She once said to the Prophet: "Messenger of Allah, I long to pray with you." He replied: "I know that you love to say prayer with me but the prayer you offer in your chamber is more excellent than the prayer you offer in your courtyard, and the prayer which you offer in your courtyard is more excellent than the one your observe in the mosque of your tribe [i.e. the mosque nearest to your home], and your prayer in the mosque of your tribe is better than the one you offer in my mosque [in Madina]." After this she ordered a mosque built in the farthest and darkest quarter of her house and did all her prayers in it until she met Allah the Glorious and the Exalted. [I.e. she did not even go out to her courtyard or to the mosque of her tribe.] Ahmad narrated it in his "Musnad." Haythami said: "Its subnarrrators are those of the sound (sahih) grade, except for `Abd Allah ibn Suwayd whom Ibn Hibban considered of the trustworthy (thiqa) grade." It is supported by Ibn Mas`ud's hadith in Abu Dawud (#570) whereby the Prophet (s) said the same words but in relation to women in general.


Nowadays, especially in non-Muslim countries, women are quite active in the mosques are often leaders in many areas, such as social work and teaching. Since we are in a non-Muslim country and we don't have a Muslim neighbor right next door, the mosque is a place of prayer, a place of socializing, and a place of learning. It is vital for women to be involved.

In traditional Muslim countries, it is less typical for women to go to the mosques, so you will see fewer, but certainly they are not forbidden from going, it is just custom that has come about over time. And of course it is incumbent for all Muslims, men, women, and children, to atted the two "Eid" prayers that we celebrate every year.

I am happy to see that you are curious about Islam and that you are God willing eager to hear honest, truthful answers. Just remember that Islam is not some "other" or alien invention but rather springs from the same well of revelation as Christianity and Judaism. We all believe in the same God and we all have a duty to make our world a better place, rather than sqabbling about our differences. Please feel free to ask any questions, an don't worry about the trolls who only spew hatred.

I pray that Allah guides you to that which is best in this world and the next. Ameen.

Fi Aman Allah,

Nancy Umm Abdel Hamid

Answer 2

In Islam women are not required to go pray in the mosque (they can if they want to) but it's considered better for women to pray at home that's why you don't see a lot of women in mosques.

Answer 3

As sis Sara mentioned, it's segregated for prayers. Men stand in the front while women stand in the back. Also, as sis Sara mentioned, it isn't a means of degrading women. It's to keep people's focus and concentration on why they're at the mosque to begin with.

In addition to that, probably the reason you don't see women at the mosque on t.v. and such is because many Muslim women prefer not to have their video taken while in prayer. So it's quite taboo in many mosques for a filmographer to take video of women in the mosque. You will find some videos of the women, but not as much as you find of the men.

There are some mosques run by strict Muslims who deny the women access, although it is commanded in the Quran that a man can not prevent a woman from entering the mosque. These men are denying women true education of their religion and denying them to be a part of the greater ummah, and of course, sinning against God's word.

A cute little video about women in the mosque:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRAtRQsiuqI

Answer 4

Well there is usually a seperate section for women, either behind the men or in a totally different area. The reason for this is because of stand shoulder to shoulder and bending infront of the other sex will quite obviously distract you from your prayer.

Women are also allwoed to pray at home in order to run the household if they don't have time to travel to the mosque.

However in some cultures it has developed into women stay home and men go to mosque especially in South East Asian cultures. Here is a good documentary a little while back:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qQNHFCB0K4

Answer 5

allah of islam says women are deficient and Muslims treat them that way. A woman will negate a prayer if she walks by, along with a Jew and a donkey. Isn't that special? Women are second class citizens. Women are not allowed to mingle with men they are not related to. Also according to islam, most of Hell will be made up of women. Some mosques lock the doors and do not allow women inside at all. Some put them in separate rooms or in the back.

Answer 6

The only Masjid where men and women are non segregated is at Islams most holy site - the Kaaba in Mecca.

There is no seperation between man, woman, black or white etc. at the holiest site.

The rest of the Masjids have a seperation so men are shoulder to shoulder with other men and not rubbing up against other women.

.

Answer 7

well woman have two options have the same result which is, they will get the same degree that the men will get when pray in mosque. they can pray in their home/house Or pray in the mosque and they will get the same degree.
note that Islam recommend that women are pray in their homes/houses.
wow they like Queens.

good luck...

Answer 8

The women are usually in the back, because when praying, if the women were in front, all the men would do is look as they bent down (praying in Islam requires you to bend down)... so that's why women are always segregated and in the back
^^ IT IS NOT B/C THEY HAVE LESS IMPORTANCE, IT IS TO PREVENT ANY WANDERING EYES

Answer 9

most of the time behind a curtain on the left side...or in another room in the back. Friday is also male only.

Most muslim chicks I know pray at home

Answer 10

Woman always pray behind man.
Be it in their mosque or their home.