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The topic of menstruating women entering the masjid has been discussed extensively by Islamic scholars, and opinions vary across different schools of thought. Here’s a summary of the key views:
The majority of scholars from these schools hold that it is not permissible for a menstruating woman to enter the masjid. They base this on the general understanding that a state of ritual impurity prevents one from entering sacred spaces. They quoted as evidence for that the report narrated by Al-Bukhari (974) and Muslim (890) from Umm `Atiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) who said: “He (the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)) commanded us on the two Eids to bring out the virgins and those who usually stayed in seclusion, but he told the menstruating women to keep away from the prayer-place of the Muslims.”
Maliki School: Some Maliki scholars allow menstruating women to enter the masjid for specific reasons, such as passing through or attending classes, provided they do not sit or stay for an extended period. The rationale is that the masjid is a place of learning and community, and the needs of the community may allow for exceptions.
Some Contemporary Scholars: A number of contemporary scholars and fatwas have argued that if there is a necessity or a valid reason, such as attending a lecture or seeking knowledge, a menstruating woman may enter the masjid. They emphasize that the prohibition was traditionally linked to concerns about cleanliness and that modern hygiene products mitigate these concerns.
Some Minority Opinions: A few scholars argue that there is no clear, authentic evidence that explicitly prohibits menstruating women from entering the masjid. They point out that the Qur’an and the most authentic hadiths do not explicitly mention such a prohibition, and they argue for a more inclusive approach based on the objectives of Islamic law (Maqasid al-Shariah).
Visiting the two sacred mosques is a significant and often once-in-a-lifetime journey for many Muslims. Scholars weigh the hardship and significance of the journey when issuing fatwas. In cases where a woman has traveled far and will not have another opportunity to visit, scholars sometimes permit entering the mosque without performing ṭawāf until purification, provided she avoids prayer or other activities requiring ritual purity.
A number of contemporary scholars and fatwa councils recognize that travel to sacred sites is a significant event for Muslims. They allow women to enter the masjid in cases of necessity, particularly during Hajj or Umrah, under the condition that they refrain from performing ṭawāf or ṣalāh until they become pure.
