Presentation of the Issue with the Title: Establishing a Partition that Separates Between the Men and the Women Inside of the Masjid
Question:
Is it permissible to establish a partition that separates between the men and the women inside of the masjid, and this partition is not a built structure (i.e. not built as part of the building). Rather, it has been made with wood that has been fashioned by the carpenter, or it is a curtain made from material that is two meters in length or less. The women are able to distinguish all of the movements of the Imaam, and they hear his recitation very clearly. The most of what is there (that could be said) is that they do not see the men while they are in the prayer, with actual vision. All of this is due to fear of falling into that which is impermissible, and mingling between the men and the women that is prohibited in the Islamic law, especially during the prayer (As-Salaah).
Answer:
It is permissible to establish a partition to separate between the men and the women inside of the masjid, in the manner that the questioner has mentioned, because this is the basis (Asl), due to what it contains of benefit (Maslahah), and that (benefit) is the separating of the women from the men with all of them being in their place of prayer. So they are not a cause of temptation for each other, thus becoming busied with that instead of their prayer. And it is likely that it could lead to Fitnah (temptation) outside of the masjid. And indeed the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) explained that “the best rows of the men are the first rows and the worst of them are the last rows, and the best rows of the women are the last rows and the worst of them are the first rows.”
And with Allaah is the success, and may prayers of blessing and peace be upon our Prophet, Muhammad, and his family and his companions.
The Permanent Committee
Source: Fataawaa Al-Lajnat id-Daa’imah Lil-Buhooth il-‘Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa’
http://www.islammessage.com/islamww/...ab863a0e7961c0
Translated by Aqeel Walker
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The Lajnah Discusses Having a Curtain Between the Men and Women
Al-Fatwaa number 4913
Question: Is it permissible to have a curtain between the men and women in the Salaah of Ramadhaan (i.e. Taraaweeh) and other than it?
Answer: There is no harm in placing a curtain made of material and similar things between the men and women in the prayer of Ramadhaan, and other than it from the prayers, whether it is an obligatory prayer or an optional prayer. And if the women prayed in rows behind the rows of the men without a curtain, then that is permissible. And it is incumbent upon them to observe the hijaab (complete Islamic covering for women) in this situation, and this is that which was acted upon in the time of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), and his companions (radhiyallaahu ‘anhum), and the matter in this regard is broad, and all praise is due to Allaah.
And with Allaah is the success, and may prayers of blessing and peace be upon our Prophet, Muhammad, and his family and his companions.
Al-Lajnat ud-Daa’imah Lil-Buhooth il-‘Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa
Member: ‘Abdullah bin Qa’ood
Member: ‘Abdullah bin Ghudayyaan
Assistant President: ‘Abdur-Razzaaq ‘Afeefee
President: ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin ‘Abdillahi bin Baaz
Source:
http://islamtoday.al-eman.com/feqh/v...=262&CID=52#s9
Translated by Aqeel Walker
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They Differed Regarding the Curtain Remaining Between the Men and Women in the Masjid
Question number 4019
Question: There is in one of the masjids a curtain between the men and the women, so there occurred some differing regarding the importance of this curtain. So some of them held the opinion that there is no need for it, and that in the time of the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) there was not a curtain present. The others persisted in having it present, so some differing occurred, the result of which will probably lead to those who believe that it should not be there leaving off the (congregational) prayer in the masjid. This is while knowing that there occurs some mixing (between the men and women) there, or looking (at the women) upon leaving due to the natural way of some of those who are present from the men. So should we continue to leave the curtain up, even if whoever leaves off the prayer leaves it off, or should we remove the curtain regardless of what will occur of looking (between the men and women)?
Answer: All praise is due to Allaah. The noble Shaikh Muhammad bin Saalih bin ‘Uthaymeen answered this question for us with his saying:
“The curtain should be left up, and the fact that it was not present in the time of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was either due to the lack of a reason that necessitated it, or due to something that prevented its existence. In reference to the first, then that is because the Companions (radhiyallaahu ‘anhum) had such a belief in Allaah that it prevented them from gazing at the women. In reference to the thing that prevented it from existing, then that was because the condition of the Companions, as we know – especially before the conquests of Islam – was a difficult condition (i.e. poverty). They were not able to put up a curtain to extend between them and the women. So since this is what we have concluded, we look to see which of them is farthest from the fitnah (evil temptation) – that the curtain is present or that it is not present? Everyone would say that the farthest from the fitnah is the presence of the curtain. And if the matter is like that, then the more something is farther away from fitnah, then that is better. And if you say, “If we continue upon this (i.e. leaving the curtain up), then those who think it should be taken down will stop coming.” Then the reply is that if they stop coming then they are committing a crime against themselves, because they do not have an excuse to abandon the congregation due to the presence of this curtain, since its presence is not an act of disobedience (i.e. sin) such that they may say, “We will never attend so that we have to witness some act of disobedience (to Allaah).” Therefore, if they stop attending they will be sinful by their leaving off the congregation (i.e. prayer in congregation).”The end
Ash-Shaikh Muhammad bin Saalih Al-‘Uthaymeen
Source:
http://islamqa.com/special/index.php...ara&subsite=16
Translated by Aqeel Walker
2/19/07
Abu Imad Rasheed Ibn Gant