Female Imams Blaze Train In Women Only Mosque

[nousername]

It is 5:50 in the morning, and dark shadows scurry through narrow alleys to the mosque, as the call to prayer echoes from a minaret in Kaifeng. This city in central China's Henan province has an Islamic enclave, where Muslims have lived for more than 1,000 years.
In an alleyway called Wangjia hutong, women go to their own mosque, where Yao Baoxia leads prayers. For 14 years, Yao has been a female imam, or ahong as they are called here, a word derived from Persian.
As she leads the service, Yao stands alongside the other women, not in front of them as a male imam would. But she says her role is the same as a male imam.
"The status is the same," Yao says confidently. "Men and women are equal here, maybe because we are a socialist country."
Enlarge Ariana Lindquist for NPR Yao Baoxia is a female ahong, or imam, at Wangjia Hutong Women's Mosque in Kaifeng, in central China. She sits alongside believers during prayers, not in front of them like male imams. She believes male and female imams are equal in their role as teachers and leaders of prayers.


Ariana Lindquist for NPR Yao Baoxia is a female ahong, or imam, at Wangjia Hutong Women's Mosque in Kaifeng, in central China. She sits alongside believers during prayers, not in front of them like male imams. She believes male and female imams are equal in their role as teachers and leaders of prayers.


China has an estimated 21 million Muslims, who have developed their own set of Islamic practices with Chinese characteristics. The biggest difference is the development of independent women's mosques with female imams, something scholars who have researched the issue say is unique to China.
Yao studied to become an imam for four years, after being laid off from her job as a factory worker. First she studied under a female imam, then with a male imam alongside male students.
Her main role is as a teacher, she says.
"When people come to pray, they don't know how to chant the Quran, so my job is teaching people about Islam, helping them to study one line at a time and leading the prayers," she says.
Mosques Began As Quranic Schools
The modest courtyard of Wangjia Hutong Women's Mosque contains within it the entire history of China's mosques for females. It's the oldest surviving women's mosque in China, with one gray plaque high up on a wall dating back to 1820.
Like other women's mosques, it began as a Quranic school for girls. These sprang up in the late 17th century in central China, including Shanxi and Shandong provinces. They morphed into women's mosques about 100 years ago, starting in Henan province.
Remembering her own childhood, 83-year-old Tang Guiying says even then the women's mosque was the only place a girl could receive education.
Enlarge Ariana Lindquist for NPR Women at the Wangjia mosque work early in the morning in the kitchen. The mosques began as Quranic schools for girls in the late 17th century. They were the only places girls could receive an education; now, they also serve as community centers.


Ariana Lindquist for NPR Women at the Wangjia mosque work early in the morning in the kitchen. The mosques began as Quranic schools for girls in the late 17th century. They were the only places girls could receive an education; now, they also serve as community centers.


"I didn't go to school when I was small," she chuckles. "We were all too poor; none of us girls studied. But I came here to play and study. The old imam was very, very old — she was 80-something, and she had bound feet."
Tang is sitting in the mosque's washroom as she talks. This is where women conduct ritual ablutions before prayer. This space — and the mosque itself — doubles as a social center for these women, the heart of a community.
In Kaifeng, there are 16 women's mosques, one-third the number of mosques for males.
A Unique Chinese Tradition
Shui Jingjun, of the Henan Academy of Social Sciences and co-author of a book on the phenomenon, says that so far there are no women's mosques in other countries. In most of the Muslim world, women pray behind a partition or in a separate room, but in the same mosque as men.
Shui points out that the women's mosques in China are administered independently, by women for women, in addition to being legally separate entities in some cases.
"After reform and opening up [in 1979], some female mosques registered independently, which shows the equality of male and female mosques," she explains.
Controversy still rages in the Muslim world about whether women can be imams. In 2006, Morocco became the first country in the Arab world to officially sanction the training of female religious leaders.

Credit: Adrienne Wollman/NPR



China is the only country to have such a long history of female imams. However, there are things that, according to the customary practices of Chinese Muslims, female imams can't do.
They can't, for instance, lead funeral rituals or wash male corpses.
Forty miles away in the provincial capital of Zhengzhou, white-sashed mourners wail as they process through the streets carrying the coffin from a mosque. No female imams are participating.
Opposition Still Exists To Women's Roles
In central China, most Muslims support the female mosques, but there is some resistance closer to China's border with Pakistan and Afghanistan, closer to the harder-line Wahhabi and Salafi influences.
"Historically in northwestern China, there were no female mosques," says Shui, the researcher. "There was resistance because people thought that building female mosques was against the rules of religion. But in central China and most provinces, people think it's a good innovation for Islam."
In the past decade, some women's mosques have been established in northwest China. The phenomenon appears to be spreading, helped politically by the Islamic Association of China, a state-controlled body that regulates Islam and issues licenses to practice to male and female imams alike.
Enlarge Ariana Lindquist for NPR Women pray at a the Wangjia mosque in Kaifeng. There are 16 women's mosques in the city, one-third the number of mosques serving male Muslims.


Ariana Lindquist for NPR Women pray at a the Wangjia mosque in Kaifeng. There are 16 women's mosques in the city, one-third the number of mosques serving male Muslims.


This is part of the anomaly that is religion in China — the atheist Chinese authorities are endorsing a practice some Muslims find unacceptable.
While there is broad support among Kaifeng's Muslims for female mosques and imams, there is also some opposition.
"The education of Islamic women is a very important job," says Guo Baoguang, of the Islamic Association of Kaifeng. But he admits that he has been criticized for organizing religious education forums for Muslim men and women to take part in together.
"There were some criticisms that women ought to be in the home, and ought not take part in social activities. I think these criticisms are too conservative, and don't account of the importance of women's education in Islam," he says.
Guo believes that when it comes to female imams, China is leading the way.
"Given the fast development of China's economy, and as its political status rises, I think Chinese Islam will become more important in the Islamic world," Guo says. "The developments Chinese Islam has made, like the role played by Chinese women, will be more accepted by Muslims elsewhere in the world."
Enlarge Ariana Lindquist for NPR For Bai Yanlian becoming a female imam took seven years of study, including three years of Arabic-language training. She then had to take an exam to get a license from the state.


Ariana Lindquist for NPR For Bai Yanlian becoming a female imam took seven years of study, including three years of Arabic-language training. She then had to take an exam to get a license from the state.


Greatest Challenge Is Economic
In the women's mosques, most of the faithful are elderly. Young women with families often don't have the time to worship, especially given the lengthy purification rituals several times a day.
Third-generation imam Sun Chengying, who has been practicing for 21 years, worries about the future.
"I haven't had any students since 1996," she says, shaking her head. "Women don't want be imams anymore, because the salaries in the mosques are too low. No one is willing to do it."
Female imams sometimes earn as little as $40 a month, one-third of what can be earned in other jobs. Younger women need to earn more to support their families.
And so it appears the future of female imams in China is threatened — not by the state, not by resistance from inside Islam, but by the forces of market economics.

[nousername]

MashaALLAh it would be so amazing to go to an all woman mosque! No more being stuffed in the back in the tiny women section of the mosque! I think it's a great thing

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam Alaykum

not sure about women Imam concept . During the time of the Prophet pbuh , was there any women only mosque or woman Imam ?

[nousername]

They're not doing anything that a woman can't do- such as they don't wash male bodies for funerals or lead the funeral prayers for example. and when they pray in the mosque, the female imam prays alongside the other women, not in the front. If their is no men behind her or anything like that, what is wrong with it? It's better than going to a mosque and to be stuffed like sardines in the back, esp. during Ramadan. And it also means no freemixing at all.

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam

Mothers of the Beleivers were Imams at any women only mosque ? Muslim women have so many problems in daily lives. Instead of solving those problems , I think it's unnecessary to work for creating a new concept.

Also , for women , reward is same for offering salat at res and mosque.

And Allah Knows Best.

[nousername]

A Woman Leading Other Women in Prayer

Regarding a woman leading ONLY women in Prayer, there are a number of hadiths such as these:

The hadith of `A’ishah and Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with them). `Abdur-Raziq (5086), Ad-Daraqutni (1/404) and Al-Bayhaqi (3/131) reported from the narration of Abu Hazim Maysarah ibn Habib from Ra’itah Al-Hanafiyyah from `A’ishah that she led women in Prayer and stood among them in an obligatory Prayer. Moreover, Ibn Abi Shaybah (2/89) reported from the chain of narrators of Ibn Abi Layla from `Ata’ that `A’ishah used to say the Adhan, the Iqamah, and lead women in Prayer while standing among them in the same row. Al-Hakim also reported the same hadith from the chain of narrators of Layth Ibn Abi Sulaim from `Ata’, and the wording of the hadith mentioned here is Al-Hakim’s.

Furthermore, Ash-Shafi`i (315), Ibn Abi Shaybah (88/2) and `Abdur-Raziq (5082) reported from two chains of narrators that report the narration of `Ammar Ad-Dahni in which he stated that a woman from his tribe named Hujayrah narrated that Umm Salamh used to lead women in Prayer while standing among them in the same row.

The wording of `Abdur-Raziq for the same hadith is as follows: “Umm Salamah led us (women) in the `Asr Prayer and stood among us (in the same row).”

In addition, Al-Hafiz said in Ad-Dirayah (1/169), “Muhammad ibn Al-Husain reported from the narration of Ibrahim An-Nakh`i that `A’ishah used to lead women in Prayer during the month of Ramadan while standing among them in the same row.

Further, `Abdur-Raziq reported (5083) from the narration of Ibrahim ibn Muhammad from Dawud ibn Al-Husain from `Ikrimah from Ibn `Abbas that the latter said, “A woman can lead women in Prayer while standing between them.”

Would that our sisters who are so enthusiastic about women’s rights revive this act of Sunnah—a woman leading other women in Prayer—instead of innovating this rejected novelty: a woman leading men in Prayer.

The following is stated in Al-Mughni:

The narrations differ as to whether it is desirable for a woman to lead other women in congregational Prayer. It is reported that the matter is desirable, as the following scholars said that a woman can lead other women in Prayer: `A’ishah, Umm Salamah, `Ata’, Athawri, Al-Awza`i, Ash-Shafi`i, Ishaq, and Abu Thawr. Furthermore, it is narrated that Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah be merciful to him) said that the matter is desirable. However, ahul ar-ra’i (scholars who mostly depend on reason in deducing rulings) regard the matter as undesirable, but if such congregational Prayer is done, it will be sufficient for the women who perform it. As for Ash-Sha`bi, An-Nakh`i and Qatadah, they say that women can perform Prayer this way in supererogatory Prayers but not in obligatory ones.

Read more: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/S...#ixzz0v92D4Dn7

[TrueStranger]

If anything this is something beautiful. As women are actually getting educated in Islam and the Qu'ran. I'm proud of my Muslim Sisters. There is nothing wrong with having a women only mosque where women could educated themselves about Islam.

May Allah guide them and protect them.

If anything, we should be worried about those Muslims that are burning down girl's schools.

[Muslimeen]

If anything, we should be worried about those Muslims that are burning down girl's schools.

Like who? I don't know of any.

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam

....`A’ishah used to say the Adhan,

tha'ts interesting , did not know about that . She gave Athan inside the mosque ?

[Rhubarb Tart]

Mashallah!

I dont see anything wrong with this! Only women, so what? Honestly I dont see anything wrong with this as women are allowed to lead prayers for women only.

There is a mosque in somalia near my family home and it is men only. That was the only mosque I saw that was male only mosque in the country though.

[Maryan0]

They're not doing anything that a woman can't do- such as they don't wash male bodies for funerals or lead the funeral prayers for example. and when they pray in the mosque, the female imam prays alongside the other women, not in the front. If their is no men behind her or anything like that, what is wrong with it? It's better than going to a mosque and to be stuffed like sardines in the back, esp. during Ramadan. And it also means no freemixing at all.

I agree with both points. This is a very nice idea.
Salam

[Danah]

Interesting!! MashaAllah very nice to be in place like this without men around.


Women leading prayers

Can women pray in congregation ( Jamaah ) with a woman performing as Imaam ?

Praise be to Allaah.

It is not prescribed for women to recite the adhaan and iqaamah as it is for men. If a woman does recite the adhaan and iqaamah, it may be one of the three following scenarios:

1 – She recites the adhaan and iqaamah for a group of men only, or for a mixed group of men and women. This is not prescribed in Islam and her adhaan and iqaamah for a group of men do not count

2 – She recites them for a group of women only.

3 – Or she recites them for herself when she is alone.

It is permissible for her to recite the adhaan for a group of women or for herself, but it is not like the case with men. For men it is more emphatically required, whereas for women, if they give the adhaan it is permissible, and if they do not, it is also permissible. If a woman does recite the adhaan, she must keep her voice low and make it just loud enough for her companions to hear.

If a woman says the iqaamah for herself or for a group of women, that is better and is closer to what is mustahabb, but if she does not do that, the prayer is still valid.

With regard to a woman leading the prayers and acting as an imaam, one of the two following scenarios may apply:

1 – A woman leading men, or a mixed group of men and women. It is not correct for a woman to lead men in prayers at all, regardless of whether it is a fard (obligatory) prayer or a naafil (supererogatory) prayer.

2 – A woman leading women in prayer. It is mustahabb for women to pray together (in jamaa’ah) when they get together in a place. One of them should lead the others, but she should stand with them in the middle of the row. It is permissible and correct for a woman to lead other women in prayer.

From Wilaayat al-Mar’ah fi’l-Fiqh al-Islami




Source: http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/14247

[TrueStranger]

Like who? I don't know of any.

Like the Taliban.

In 2009, the Taliban destroyed 10 girls' schools in the tribal district of Dir in Northwest Pakistan - schools which Maryam Bibi's charity, Khwendo Kor, had helped to build.

http://english.aljazeera.net/program...639673345.html

[Insaanah]

There is proof from the ahadeeth that women can lead other women in prayer, and I don't feel that's the issue here.

The issue is of a mosque that is for one sex only. I know there are some mosques that don't have facilities or room for women, however from an Islamic viewpoint, even though it's better for women to pray at home, mosques are still for everyone, regardless of gender.

I wonder what Rasoolullah would have thought of this.....

[Rhubarb Tart]

I know mosque where it only for men. I dont see anyone complaining about that...

or complaining about small rooms given to sister in mosque, so small that most women cant pray in the mosque in Eid.... again I dont see anyone complaining about that... The idea of mosque is for everyone doesnt really reflect real life..

I dont see anything wrong with this, there is plenty of mosque for the brothers. This idea of women mosque would be good for reverts, they would have a proper place to go to not some small room in the corner. The mosque is sometimes the only place to learn their deen for some sisters.

There isnt anything in Islam that say we arent allowed to do this... why make it haraam?

[~Raindrop~]

.

I wonder what Rasoolullah :saws: would have thought of this.....

That was the first thought that came to my mind, too. It's worrying, to say the least.

[marwen]

I dunno if it's correct or not to have a women only mosque. Probably it's ok, but I dunno it seems a little bit weired. Besides, we never seen this before in islam so I smell some little bida'ah here. But my question is why don't they pray in ordinary mosques ? is there a reason to pray without men ? (i'll read the op again, may be I missed the answer)

[Rhubarb Tart]

What if this was called Islamic eduaction centre maybe that would make some of you happy?

[Insaanah]

I know mosque where it only for men. I dont see anyone complaining about that...

As I said in my post, there are mosques that don't have enough room (sometimes no room) or facilities for women.

Our example is not to look at the wrong things done now, and then emulate it. We look at the sunnah. At no stage was there a men only mosque or women only mosque. Mosques are for Muslims, with no distinction or discrimination, in race, sex, age or anything else.

If some mosques have no room and women can't go, nobody is saying that's good. But from the sunnah we are not suppose to respond to a wrong by doing another wrong.

This idea of women mosque would good for reverts, they would have a proper place to go to not some small room in the corner. The mosque is sometimes the only place to learn their deen for some sisters.

Nothing is stopping them going to someone's house, or the house of the most knowledgable one in the community.

I dont see anything wrong with this

Dscriminating against which Muslim can or can't go into a mosque is. And before we get the whole "men have plenty of room is mosques" argument, remember, men are commanded to go to the mosque, and although men are not supposed to stop their womenfolk going to the mosque, from the sunnah it is preferable for a woman to pray at home.

Again, I wonder what Rasoolullah would have thought of this....

[Rhubarb Tart]

As I said in my post, there are mosques that don't have enough room (sometimes no room) or facilities for women.

Our example is not to look at the wrong things done now, and then emulate it. We look at the sunnah. At no stage was there a men only mosque or women only mosque. Mosques are for Muslims, with no distinction or discrimination, in race, sex, age or anything else.

If some mosques have no room and women can't go, nobody is saying that's good. But from the sunnah we are not suppose to respond to a wrong by doing another wrong.



Nothing is stopping them going to someone's house, or the house of the most knowledgable one in the community.



Dscriminating against which Muslim can or can't go into a mosque is. And before we get the whole "men have plenty of room is mosques" argument, remember, men are commanded to go to the mosque, and although men are not supposed to stop their womenfolk going to the mosque, from the sunnah it is preferable for a woman to pray at home.

Again, I wonder what Rasoolullah would have thought of this....

All you have written is said over and over again in the UK. Is a muslim willing to help out a sister in need, in my experince no!

You and others like you make this deen seem so oppressive. the space is excuse is getting old. You may prefer to stay at home, mashallah good for you. I am sure as hell wont. I prefer the mosque, with other womenfork and islamic resource at my reach.