Monday, February 3, 2014

Praying in Masjid an Nabawi for Women

Bism Illah wa assalaamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.


Many of you may not realize that although we live in Madinah, our girls and I rarely go to Masjid an Nabawi to pray. In fact, aside from Eid prayers for which it is clearly legislated that the women attend, we usually don't go at all. The reason for this is that the best place for a woman to pray is her home. It reaps the best reward and to that end, I am copying an excerpt from the book My Home, My Pathfrom the section titled, "The Role of the Woman in the Raising and Education of the Family," by Sheikh Saalih al-Fawzaan, may Allah preserve him.

"The congregational prayers in the masjid are Islamically legislated as the realm of the men, and from the best of their actions, and how much better if it is in the masjid of Allaah's Messenger, praying with him, may Allaah's praise and salutations be upon him. And yet, in spite of all this, he used to encourage the women to pray in their houses.

It is narrated from the wife of Abi Humaid as-Saa'idee,. that she went to the Messenger of Allah, may Allaah's praise and salutations be upon him, and said, "Oh, Messenger of Allaah, truly I love praying with you." So he replied, {I know that you love to pray with me, and your prayer in (an inner room) your house is better than your prayer in your outer room, and your prayer in your outer room is better than your prayer in your residence and your prayer in your residence is better than your prayer in the masjid of your people, and your prayer in the masjid of your people is better than your prayer in my masjid.} So she ordered a masjid to be built for her in the darkest and most private part of her house, and she prayed in it until she met her Lord, Glorified and Exalted is He. (The hadeeth is found in Ahmad 6/371, and Ibn Khuzaimah in his "Saheeh" 3/95 and it is hasan. Look in "Saheeh Ibn Khusaimah")

So the suggestion of the hadeeth is clear, in that the fundamental situation is that the woman stays in her home, so much so that the benefit of the prayer in her house is greater than the benefit of the prayer in his masjid with the Messenger of Allaah, may Allah's praise and salutations be upon him - yet in spite of that he did allow the woman to go out to the masjid."

15 comments:

  1. Alhamdulillah,Very useful blog.
    I am an Indian.I planned to get settle in Harra Sharqiya.What is the rent for 3 bedroom flat in Harra Sharqiya.
    May Allah reward you the best.

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    1. As salaamu alaikum. Unfortunately we can't answer that. There are too many factors that dictate rent. If you are close to certain things the price goes up. Once they know you're not Saudi the price goes up. If you know a trustworthy Saudi, have them find you a place...as if they were renting it...it will be cheaper. You can expect to pay from 25,000 riyals and up for a nice 3 bedroom place.

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  2. WaalaikumusSalam.Thank you.InshaAllah,I Will follow your advice.

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  3. Salam alaikum,
    I am studying Religious Studies in Germany and would love to
    do 1-2 semesters abroad in Madinah.
    I need contact with a brother who lives there and would be ready to present me with some information on certain things.
    I would really really really appreciate it.
    (My Du'a is yours' )

    Wassalam

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  4. Salam. How can one become a female security guard in Al Haram. It is a dream of mine

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    1. Wa alaykum ussalaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

      I don't know, sister. If you are here, you could always ask the security guards. You need to catch them at a quiet time like Asr though, as it is usually hectic.

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    2. Wasalam thank you for your reply. I actually just returned from there 2 weeks ago and did contemplate asking them but due to language barrier i could not!

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  5. As 'salaam alaikum Mai.
    Is there a email address I can contact you on. The one which is madinahnasseha@email.com does not seem to work. I have numerous of questions to ask you. I discovered that the only watania is a poultry shop near the fruit and vegetable market? The other two you mention , I can not seem to find it.

    Also upon reading your other blog entry, you mentioned a school for women. Could you please tell me where it is located?
    I hope I am not causing disturbance to you. You inspire me and inform us with this blog articles ranging from halal, nutritious and beneficial matters. To become a better Muslim, whereas your other blog of "Mai to the extreme" inspires me to be a better mother. Ma'sha'Allah.

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  6. Wa alaykum ussalaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh Umm Na'eema.

    I think you have the incorrect email address. It is madinahnaseeha@gmail.com. Please do send me a message there and I will do my best to respond promptly inshaa Allah.

    Al Watania is an organic shop around the corner and down the road from Airport Road. If you are at the traffic lights with Steps shoe shop on your right hand side, then turn right and drive along and you'll find it in a strip of shops with a nice green and white sign. Further along from it is Bait al Asha'ab (a good selection of organic grains, seeds, and herbs) and Al Marwani. Quite a lovely line up. Even better, on Airport Road (Tareeq Mattaar) is Kul Thimaar, which doesn't have too much organic food, but an excellent selection of dates and some locally grown produce.

    Barak Allahu feekee, ukhtee f'Illah!

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  7. Salaam. If anyone can help me with my query, I shall be very grateful, insha Allah. I want to move to Madinah, and require the following for my kids: they are non-Arabic speaking, but I want them to learn Arabic. What is the best option for this? Are there specific institutions you could recommend. I think the biggest issue would be for them to practice Arabic whilst they are learning. Are there any clubs, regular events, or places they could go in order for them to practice their Arabic by speaking to other Arabic kids, or some other way for them to practice? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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    1. Wa alaikum as salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. Before I answer your question, please tell me how you're moving to Madinah? Do you have a job offer or something else, as the answer I give is dependent upon your answer. Barak Allahu feek.

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  8. Asalaamu alaykum, jazakAllah khair for your posts May Allah reward u. I read in one of your posts somewhere that madinah university conduct Arabjc classes in the evening for local residents. Could u please shed some light on that in terms of what days, and exactly what time in the evenings does it begin. Thank you I really appreciate it.

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    1. Wa alaikum as salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

      The times and policies change from year to year. Classes will resume in September. Other than that, there isn't much we can tell you. Barak Allahu feek.

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  9. Asalaamu alaykum jazakAllah khair for your useful posts May Allah reward u. I read somewhere in your posts regarding Arabic classes for local residents at madinah university. Please could u should some light on that in terms of what days and what time does it begin in the evening. JazakAllah khair.

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  10. Asalaamu alaykum, I do sincerely apologise the same post was sent twice for some reason. Yes, Inshaa Allah I will be working in madinah for the new academic year I'm awaiting the next steps in terms visas etc but hopefully, with the permission of Allah, I will be moving there. So for that reason, I wanted to know about the evening classes offered to residents or those holding a valid iqama to attend evening Arabic classes at the university, espically the time it begins in the evening becuase I may be finishing my shift later then usual possibly 4.30 or 5pm so I wanted to know from your knolwdge maybe an estimate of what time typically the evening classes begin so that I don't miss out. JazakAllah khair and apologies for not stating that in my previous post.

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When commenting, fitnah is to be avoided at all costs, as the angels abandon those who argue and dispute."Who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent." Barak Allahu feekum!

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