ISLAMIC LAW OF SALAH IN MASJID FOR WOMEN

Abstract

Salah is the second pillar of Islam; the term “Salah” refers to the five compulsory daily prayers. It is offered five times a day individually or in congregation. We offer Salah to remember Allah, and it brings us closer to Him. This article discuss the Islamic law which tells us that the women have right to take part in the activities of Masjids. It was an important duty of Muslim women to participate in activities of Masjids, according to education, religious culture and customs of the Islamic society in the era of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Islam is a fair and balanced system of life; while it specifies the rights of women, it also lays down duties that a Muslim woman is expected to observe. Women have very important place in Islamic society, unlike a number of other religions, Islam holds women in high esteem. According to the Islamic law men and women are equal, women have feelings, personal status and special characters. Islam is a religion of common sense and is in line with human nature. It recognizes the realities of life. A woman has rights to develop her talents and to work within the limits of Islam. When Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) came to Madinah, he decided to construct a Masjid called Masjid e Nabawi. It was the place where the followers of Muhammed came to understand Islam. There were nine Masjids in Madinah where Muslim women used to participate in khutba e Jummah (Friday prayers), khutba e Edien (Eid prayers), Salah al Istasq, and in Salah al Kusoof with the Muslim men (in separate portion). It is absolutely proven by Hadiths and the life of Prophet Muhammad that if we need our women to wake up and to be true Muslim women, we must open to them the doors of Masjids. Although, congregational Salah is not compulsory for them like men, it is optional. They can join the prayers if it does not upset their house hold duties. Why it is necessary? Because women are independently charged with the performance of pillars of Islam, religious duties, and she is held responsible for delinquency. Women are equal to man in seeking knowledge, individual duties, and in collective duties. Since she is charged with pillars of Islam and religious duties; she can't carry all that without the study of Quran and Hadiths or without the knowledge of Islam. Today we have a large number of Masjids everywhere in sub-continent especially in Pakistan. But only in few we find the portions for women. So if we want to educate the women under the umbrella of Islam, we should arrange the religious activities for women in separate female portions of Masajid.