The Hyderabad-based Jamia Nizamiah Islamic Seminary stated that the meeting for the five obligatory prayers is not prescribed for women, and according to the Hanafi school, even older women should not go to the mosque for prayer. | Photo Credit: Photo File
Hyderabad-based Jamia Nizamiah Islamic Seminary issued a fatwa describing women gathering for Tarawa Prayer is highly discouraged.
A fatwa is the opinion of Islamic jurisprudence. It is issued when a person asks questions on a specific topic in the light of Shariah. Then the Darul Ifta Islamic Seminary issues a fatwa.
The fatwa dated March 16 shows that the person who sought the fatwa asked if it was permissible in the light of Shariah to allocate a seat in the mosque for women for Tarawa (special night prayers during Ramzan).
Fatwa says women pray Tarawa in the assembly’ makruh tahrimi’. This It is also said that it is not prescribed for women to gather for the five obligatory prayers, and according to the Hanafi school, even older women should not go to the mosque for prayer.
It is believed that the Hanafi school is followed by most Muslims in India.
In addition, in February of this year, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) filed an affidavit with the Supreme Court in a case involving women entering mosques. AIMPLB stated in a media statement that “there is no ban on Muslim women entering mosques and offering prayer or collective prayers.
However, the AIMPLB expressed concern that “the free intermingling of the sexes in one line or common space is not in accordance with the position prescribed by Islam.” This, AIMPLB has discovered, should be addressed by the division of indoor space by the mosques’ governing committees.
