The matter of women in Islam has rendered countless debates and discussions and it's sufficed to say that it is a 'hot potato' of topics. In the west a Muslim woman is perceived as being oppressed by the male members of her family. A woman clad in a khimaar (headscarf) and/or a jilbab/burkha (a long flowing robe) is generally thought of as being illiterate and tied to the kitchen sink. Those who choose to wear the niqaab (face veil) are branded as 'lethal women' ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4436368.stm ), or would be 'suicide bombers'.

The quest for women's liberation in Afghanistan from the tyrannical rule of the Taliban and in Iraq has been part justification for recent wars. The hijab ban in France was also perceived by some to be a means to 'help' oppressed Muslim women. But what people sadly fail to understand is that Islam was the saviour for women.

So what has Allah (swt) said about women?

The Qur'an, in addressing the believers, often uses the expression, 'believing men and women' to emphasize the equality of men and women in regard to their respective duties, rights, virtues and merits. It says:

"For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward." (33:35)

Also, "The Believers, men and women, are protectors of, one of another: They enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil: They observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey Allah and His apostle. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise. Allah hath promised to Believers, men and women, Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in Gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allah: That is the supreme felicity." Quran 9:71-72

The duties, outlined in the second verse, mandatory upon men and women, can be summarised by the following:

[1] Protect one another

[2] Enjoin the good and forbid the evil

[3] Pray regularly

[4] Give charity regularly

[5] Obey Allah and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

There is unequivocal evidence in the Qu'ran highlighting these as equal duties upon men and women.

Moving on specifically to the matter of women in the Masjid.

The Masjid is the centre of spiritual, social, and educational activities of the Muslim community. It is also the place where Muslims of diverse cultural and ideological backgrounds meet and interact. However increasingly we are seeing that women have restricted access to the Masjid thus impeding their ability to fully participate in any activities that take place there. Some Masajid don't even have prayer facilities for women [this is the norm is some communities].

We have concluded from the teachings of the Qu'ran that both men and women have an obligation to develop themselves spiritually and fulfil their social responsibilities, so why is it that women are constrained from the Masjid? Islam has not prescribed this for women so why are we, today, shackled by cultural inaccuracies which bar women from the Masjid?

From the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

In the years of early Islam women participated in public services and shared the main hall of the Prophet's (pbuh) Masjid. This allowed women to fully engage in public debate and influence decisions affecting their lives and the life of the community. An example of this is when Hazrat Umar bin al-Khatab (radhiallah hu anhu) wanted to put a cap on dowry and was challenged by a woman. She stood up in the middle of the Masjid and pointed out that his proposed policy violated Islamic law. He accepted this and the proposed policy was never carried out. Moreover, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) confirmed equal access to the Masjid for women:

Ibn Umar narrated: The Messenger of Allah, peace be with him, said: Do not deprive women of their share of the Masjids, when they seek permission from you. Bilal said: By Allah, we would certainly prevent them. 'Abdullah said: I say that the Messenger of Allah, peace be with him, said it and you say: We would certainly prevent them! (Sahih Muslim Book 4, Number 891).

Narrated Ibn Umar: The Prophet, peace be with him, said, "Allow women to go to the Mosques at night." (Bukhari Volume 2, Book 13, Number 22).

The social involvement of women during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was widespread including the battlefield:

Women Fighting to Protect Islam

During the Battle of Uhud, Umm 'Umara Nusayba bint K'ab, one of the women present at the Second Oath of 'Aqaba, valiantly defended the Messenger of God, sustaining twelve wounds in the process. She nearly killed Ibn Qami'a, one of the fiercest warriors in the opposing force. After the fray, the Prophet, Peace and Blessings of God be upon him, praised her courage and skill. This affirmation from the Prophet, Peace and Blessings of God be upon him, prevents anyone from denying the permissibility of women fighting under similar circumstances, even if other prophetic traditions argue against such fighting being obligatory for them.

The Prophet, Peace and Blessings of God be upon him, also gave tidings to Umm Haram bint Mulham that she would fight in a naval battle. This came after she sought his permission to go forth in a military campaign. She subsequently married Ubada b. as-Samit, and participated with him in a naval expedition. [18] The fact that her participation in that battle occurred with the foreknowledge and permission of the Prophet, Peace and Blessings of God be upon him, is again a powerful argument against those who would refuse to acknowledge the permissibility of this and far lesser significant types social involvement.

It is a well-known principle in the Divine Law that in the face of a direct invasion of a Muslim land by non-Muslim forces, it is mandatory for every able-bodied woman to join the Muslim defenses to repulse the aggressor. As a general practice, the Prophet, Peace and Blessings of God be upon him, would bring women along on military campaigns to function as nurses and to undertake other support and logistical roles. 'Aisha, Umm Sulaym, Umm Salit, and many others distinguished themselves performing such duties [Source: Imam Zaid Shakir].

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, "A woman acts for the people, " i.e. she gives protection on behalf of the Muslims (Hadith: Al Tirmidhi, Narrated Abu Hurayrah).

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