Prayer As Productive Habit: Seven Steps to Follow

 

You should aim to develop the following seven spiritually productive activities into habits so that you can hopefully continue benefiting from them throughout your life.

I consider these activities the spiritual ‘bread and butter’ of any productive Muslim.

To develop them as habits is the essence of embarking on your journey towards the love of Allah and constantly increasing in your faith:

1) Keep the Sunnah Prayers

I know it’s easier to just pray the obligatory prayers and rush out of the mosque!

However, when we realize the rewards we’re missing from not praying these Sunnah prayers, we won’t leave them.

Over the years, I have learnt there’s only ONE way to get yourself to pray these Sunnah prayers constantly: get into the habit of praying them!

They’ll soon become part and parcel of your prayers.

2) Remembrance of Allah After Prayers

Again, it’s easy to rush out after prayers due to your busy lives, though if we are honest, how long does it take to recite the supplications after prayers? (The answer: 5-7 minutes!)

If you’re not sure what I’m referring to, you may find the supplications online.

Nowadays, you’ll find pocket notebooks or phone applications with these supplications.

Get into the habit of reciting them daily after each prayer to enrich your spiritual experience.

3) Morning/Evening Remembrance of Allah

Step 2 is also included in this habit.

There exists a beautiful set of duas, or remembrances, from the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), which he used to say before sunrise and after sunset.

They are true stress relievers and energy boosters that never fail to make my days and evenings feel blessed.

4) Night Prayer

During Ramadan we have the wonderful Taraweeh prayers to attend. However,after Ramadan there are many opportunities to still obtain the reward of the night prayer.

If you’re new to night prayer or you don’t pray it constantly during the year, make sure you try to attend prayers each and every night in congregation at the mosque (particularly brothers), and give yourself a ‘no-excuse’ policy.

Develop a habit of praying Tahajjud and continuing to pray them for an entire 30 days. This will set you on a better footing to continue with the Night Prayer for the rest of the year.

5) Duha Prayer

Here’s a Productive Muslim’s top secret to a productive day: Two rak’ahs are known as the Duha prayer, which you may pray at any time between after sunrise and before the sun reaches its zenith (around 30 minutes before Dhuhr).

The reward of this prayer is similar to giving charity on behalf of every bone in your body, and the energy and buzz you feel during the day are amazing.

6) Supplications Before You Sleep

You’ve just had a long day, and you’re super tired.

You climb into bed, and you want to hit the sack… but wait! Before you do, can you give yourself just 10 more minutes to recite the supplications before sleeping?

That’s all. Try them and let yourself experience the most beautiful sleep ever and waking up for Fajr easily.

For more information on waking up for Fajr, constantly, every day, without fail check How to Wake up for Fajr.

7) Reciting One Hour of Qur’an Each Day

Notice: I said here recite one hour of Qur’an each day and not one juz’ or one Surah.

The amount of Qur’an you read is not as important as the quality of your understanding.

If you spend one hour reciting one verse but understand it fully, that’s more important and beneficial then reciting lots of Qur’an at break-neck speed yet not understanding a word.

So there you go, seven spiritually productive habits you can develop throughout the year, starting today!

The article was originally published at ProductiveMuslim.com.

4 Ways to Find Joy and Happiness in Life

 

Sometimes we feel overwhelmed and exhausted. We are worried about the future, and what tomorrow brings. One minute we feel on the top of the world. And the next minute we are in the depths of despair.

Many times our feelings are really just a matter of perception. Let’s try and see what is around us in a positive light. We can look at a cup of coffee as being half full or half empty.

What can we actually contribute to making ourselves feel better? And what talents has Allah given us that we can make use of? What capabilities can we develop to actively shape our future?

Didn’t He give us the greatest gift ever? Our faith in Him and our love for Him?

Let’s look at the bright side of life.

Remember the Blessings and Talents Allah Has Given Us

Many times we are so lost in our problems and difficulties that we are unable to feel the joy and happiness in life. We do not see the blessings around us. The joy in the big and small things. We also do not see the capabilities in ourselves that Allah has bestowed us with.

Let’s make an effort and train ourselves to see and feel the joy in our life. And let’s find a reason to rejoice every single day of our life.

Are you good in writing or speaking? Thank Allah for it and try to develop this skill further to help you set up your independent life.

Has Allah given you computer skills, skills in handicrafts or any other amazing skill? Be grateful to your Lord and use that skill to drag you out of your anxiety about the future.

If we only see the negative things in life, we will fall deeper and deeper into darkness. Let’s say thank you to our most merciful Creator for giving us the blessing of life, the blessing of breathing, the joy of smelling the beautiful fragrances around us, the blessing of believing in Him.

Rejoice in the very fact that you are one of the fortunate ones that accepted Allah in his or her life. Thank Him for the skills and talents He has gifted you with.

The Gift of Faith

No matter how low we might feel, we need to remember that we have been given an amazing gift. The most important and most beautiful gift that one can have in this world. Allah has given us faith and planted it in our heart. He, the Giver of light, has kindled the light of faith and love for Him in our hearts. Let’s make this light bright and shining.

Our faith, our belief in Allah, is an amazing source of happiness and joy. To have and feel Allah in our life can erase the darkness from our heart. Turning to Him, we can find peace and contentment.

The gift of faith can bestow us with a great determination to help and contribute to the Muslim community. Helping others and contributing to our societies in whatever way is also a good cure for any fear or sadness we might have. Gain joy and happiness by spreading kindness.

The Best Listener

Whenever you feel stressed out, sad and depressed or fear for your future, you should go to meet Allah. Meet Him in your prayers. Meet Him in your supplications. Talk to Him, tell Him about your problems, pour out your heart to Him.

Allah is waiting for you to do so. He is the All-Hearing, the Best Listener we can have. We can tell Him everything without that uncomfortable feeling we sometimes have with people because we are worried to burden them.

Allah is there! Always! He is close, protecting Friend of the believers, and it is He who brings us out of darknesses into the light.

We just have to make the first small move. Try to wake up in the last third of the night and supplicate to Allah. Ask Him to help you. And ask him to remove your anxiety from your heart. Ask Him to show you the right way, the way that leads to His pleasure and to your success in this world.

If you feel left alone with your worries, rush to meet your Lord and seek comfort in His company by standing or sitting on the prayer mat or by remembering Him in your heart. Allah says in Quran that only in the remembrance of Allah, do hearts find peace, rest and comfort.

Finding Joy and Happiness in Our Faith

Let’s try and make an effort everyday to add a little bit more joy and a drop more happiness to our life. Make a conscious choice for a joyful and happy life today. See all the beautiful things around you and feel the great amount of blessings Allah has bestowed on you.

Anse Tamara Gray wrote a beautiful book that can help you on your journey to more happiness and more joy in your life as a Muslim. In her book “Joy Jots: Excercises for a Happy Heart”, she writes how living a religious life can bring happiness and contentment to your life.

In 52 chapters, she provides guidance on how to find true joy and happiness in Islam. Every chapter concludes with a reflection and exercise to help you put her lessons into practice in your life.

Once you find joy and happiness in Islam, your life in this world will become easier. Any problem will not seem that much of a deal anymore. Feelings like anxiety or fear what will happen in the future will become less. You will know that Allah only wants the best for His servants and that He will also give you what is best for you. Just ask Him to turn you in the direction that is best for you.

May all readers and all Muslims and all people find true joy and happiness in their life. Ameen.

Disclaimer: In this article, when we talk about feeling depressed, we do not talk about clinical depression. If you suffer from prolonged depression and other related symptoms, you might want to consider to seek professional medical help.

- aboutislam.net

About Claudia Azizah

Claudia Azizah is originally from Germany and mother of two children and writer. She served as Assistant Professor at the International Islamic University in Malaysia until August 2019. She is co-founder of the Ulu-Ilir-Institute in Indonesia. She regularly writes for the German Islamic newspaper. She is interested in Islamic spirituality, art and Southeast Asia. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram: #clazahsei

10 Things to Do for Jumhat (Friday Prayer) ( Sembahyang Jumaat)

The best day of the week is Jumu’ah (Friday) and there are several Sunnah acts that are expected of us to carry out on this day. In this video, we bring you 10 list of things that we can do on Friday.

- aboutislam.net

The Story of Prophet Yusuf and the Wife of al-Aziz

 

The Quran tells the stories of the prophets in order to make Prophet Muhammad’s heart firm and for us to draw lessons from their lives.

We read in the Quran what means:

{So [Muhammad], We have told you the stories of the prophets to make your heart firm and in these accounts truth has come to you, as well as lessons and reminders for the believers.} (Quran 11:120)

Most of the stories of the prophets are repeated more than once throughout the Quran.

The distinct story of prophet Joseph (Yusuf)

Indeed, the only story that is mentioned once and in one complete chapter is the story of Prophet Joseph, Yusuf (peace be upon him).

The chapter tells us the purpose of its revelation:

{There are lessons in the story of Joseph and his brothers for all who seek them.} (Quran 12:7)

The final verse of this chapter stresses the fact there is a lot to learn from the stories of the Prophets:

{There is a lesson in the stories of such people for those who understand.} (Quran 12:111)

Hence, this chapter is named after Prophet Yusuf. The chapter is self-explanatory and it gives many details of the life of Prophet Yusuf and his family and the challenges he was put to.

Read this chapter and I am sure you will understand it completely. However, if you face any difficult verses, please feel free to contact us to explain them to you.

The Incident of the wife of Al-Aziz

With regard to the incident of the wife of al-Aziz, chief minister of Egypt, I quote these verses:

{The woman in whose house he was living tried to seduce him: she bolted the doors and said, ‘Come to me,’ and he replied, ‘God forbid! My master has been good to me; wrongdoers never prosper.’ And she advanced towards him, and he would have succumbed to her if he had not seen evidence of his Lord– We did this in order to keep evil and indecency away from him, for he was truly one of Our chosen servants. They raced for the door– she tore his shirt from behind– and at the door they met her husband. She said, ‘What, other than prison or painful punishment, should be the reward of someone who tried to dishonor your wife?’ but he said, ‘She tried to seduce me.’ A member of her household suggested, ‘If his shirt is torn at the front, then it is she who is telling the truth and he who is lying, but if it is torn at the back, then she is lying and he is telling the truth.’ When the husband saw that the shirt was torn at the back, he said, ‘This is another instance of women’s treachery: your treachery is truly great. Joseph, overlook this; but you [wife], ask forgiveness for your sin– you have done wrong.’} (Quran 12:23-29)

Certainly, the whole story is a trial from Allah for Prophet Yusuf.

Some commentators give the chief minister’s wife the name of Zulaikhah.

What really happened?

Thus, the Quran states that it was she who seduced him. She closed the doors and made the environment suitable for her purpose.

In reaction to this, prophet Yusuf behaved in a very civilized manner. He reminded her of her husband’s favors on him. Therefore, he cannot cheat on him and cannot show disloyalty to him.

Indeed, prophet Yusuf was aware that adultery is a grave sin and those who commit it will never prosper and be saved from punishment.

The verses mention that he would have succumbed to her if he had not seen evidence of his Lord. Commentators give different interpretations of this statement.

Some say she wanted him to kiss her and he attempted to strike her. Others say she tempted him and he tempted her but he did not follow this intent. Most of the commentators concluded that there is a temptation and a resistance.

Prophet Yusuf tried to run away from her and she ran after him and tore his shirt from the back.

Suddenly, they found al-Aziz at the door. She ran to her husband and accused prophet Yusuf of seducing her.

Naturally, prophet Yusuf tried to defend himself and told al-Aziz that it was his wife who seduced him.

Though al-Aziz saw prophet Yusuf’s shirt torn from the back and this is an indication that he tried to escape, he listened to the advice of his wife and imprisoned him.

The Truth

The following verses give us more details:

{Some women of the city said, ‘The governor’s wife is trying to seduce her slave! Love for him consumes her heart! It is clear to us that she has gone astray.’ When she heard their malicious talk, she prepared a banquet and sent for them, giving each of them a knife. She said to Joseph, ‘Come out and show yourself to them!’ and when the women saw him, they were stunned by his beauty, and cut their hands, exclaiming, ‘Great God! He cannot be mortal! He must be a precious angel!’ She said, ‘This is the one you blamed me for. I tried to seduce him and he wanted to remain chaste, but if he does not do what I command now, he will be put in prison and degraded.’ Joseph said, ‘My Lord! I would prefer prison to what these women are calling me to do. If You do not protect me from their treachery, I shall yield to them and do wrong,’ and his Lord answered his prayer and protected him from their treachery– He is the All Hearing, the All Knowing.} (Quran 12:30-34)

The news of this incident spread in the city. The women knew that it was the wife of Al-Aziz who seduced Yusuf. Therefore, she tried to prove the opposite.

Hence, she asked Yusuf to show himself to these women and because of his beauty they cut their hands. On seeing this, the wife of Al-Aziz told the gathering that this is the man you blamed me for.

She made a very clear statement that it was she who seduced him but he resisted the temptation.

Imprisonment

She decided to put him in prison and he accepted the decision because imprisonment was better than what these women were calling on him to do.

God answered his prayer and protected him from their plot.

In the above verses, we can notice Prophet Yusuf’s sincerity and seeking refuge in God from the women’s plot against him.

Although the wife of Al-Aziz confessed her guilt in front of all these women, they remained silent and did not defend Yusuf.

Also Al-Aziz himself did not object to his wife’s advice and threw Yusuf in prison.

We read what means:

{In the end they thought it best, after seeing all the signs of his innocence, that they should imprison him for a while.} (Yusuf 12:35)

Here ends the story of the wife of al-Aziz with Prophet Yusuf.

As for the prison, there starts another story which is covered in the articles reference below.

Lessons Learned

What we can learn from this story is patience and submission to God’s destiny.

In difficult situations, we should put our trust in God and seek refuge in Him. We should be sure that there is always a way out for the believers.

Muslims should guard themselves against the plots made by their enemies by asking God’s for help and not surrendering to temptations.

- aboutislam.net

About Dr. Mohsen Haredy

Dr. Mohsen Haredy holds a PhD in Hadith literature from Leiden University, the Netherlands. He is the former Executive Manager and Editor-in-Chief of E-Da`wah Committee in Kuwait, and a contributing writer and counselor of Reading Islam. He graduated from Al-Azhar University and earned his MA in Hadith literature from Leiden University.

Marital Rape OK within Islamic Marriage?!

 

Context: Sexual Pleasure for Both Parties

First, the Quranic verse mentioned has a completely different interpretation than the one you thought of. It doesn’t mean any sense of sexual exploitation.

Actually, it was revealed on the occasion that some of the prophet’s companions asked him about how to approach their wives sexually.

This was because their Jewish neighbors used to tell them that a sexual intercourse should only be made in one particular position.

The verse was then revealed to inform believers that they are free to approach their women in any position they like.

Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) added to its interpretation that one is free to have sexual intercourse with his wife in any position, as long as it is vaginal—for anal intercourse is prohibited in Islam.

It is clear that such permission aimed at adding more pleasure to both husband and wife. This is by avoiding the monotony of such a relationship.

Mutual Satisfaction is Paramount

As for “marital rape“, Islam teaches both husband and wife the understanding of having to minimize the times when they are reluctant to respond to their spouses’ sexual demand.

Unless there are really serious reasons concerning, for example, health or mental difficulties, neither of them should refuse such a demand.

This is not because any side is a “property” of the other or because Islam approves what is called “marital rape”. On the contrary, this is because Islam prohibits adultery and marital infidelity.

This, in fact, is prohibited for both parties.

Therefore, Islam urges both parties to be always welcoming to meet the other party’s sexual needs.

Both parties are also obliged to make sure that this affair has ended with full satisfaction for ones’ partner.

It seems you have read about this part, which focuses on the rule of submitting to the spouse as “obligatory” to women.

However, it seems you haven’t read about the Islamic teaching that also made it obligatory for husbands to offer sex to their wives.

A Wife’s Rights to Foreplay & Satisfaction

This is due to the fact that the woman might be shy or embarrassed to ask it for herself, every four days. According to Imam Ghazali and other scholars, this is even if the husband does not feel like doing it:

It is desirable that he should have intimate relations with her once every four nights; that is more just, for the [maximum] number of wives is four which justifies this span. It is true that intimate relations should be more or less frequent in accordance to her need to remain chaste, for to satisfy her is his duty. If seeking intimate relations [by the woman] is not established, it causes the same difficulty in the same demand and the fulfill­ment thereof.

In addition, a ruler should not send soldiers in an army – even if it is wartime – for more than four months, just for this reason!

You need to know that the Prophet (peace be upon him) warned husbands against what he called: “falling onto women like animals.”

“Let none of you come upon his wife like an animal, and let there be an emissary between them.” He was asked, “What is this emissary, 0 Messenger of God?” He said, “The kiss and [sweet] words.”

Also, Ibn Magah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) has commanded husbands not to start a sexual intercourse, unless they start by ‘flirting, talking and kissing the wife’ till she becomes ‘in the mood’ and capable of sharing the pleasure of these moments:

There are three qualities which are considered deficiencies in a man: one, that he should meet someone whose acquaintance he wishes to make but parts from him before learning his name and lineage; second, that he should be treated kindly and reject the kindness’ done unto him; and third, that he should approach his wife and have sexual contact with her before exchanging tender words and caresses, consequently, he sleeps with her and fulfills his needs before she fulfills hers.

Thus, he also drew men’s attention to the fact that women tend to reach orgasm, a short time after husbands do.

Because of this fact, a husband should wait till she is fully satisfied to end their exchange.

We believe that this prescription of sexual relations in Islam is the furthest it can be from rape!

A Husband’s Equal Rights

Simultaneously, Islam urges the Muslim woman that – however busy she may be – she should leave whatever is keeping her busy if her husband asks her.

Here, if the woman refuses to submit to her husband’s desire, for no serious reason, she would be exposed to God’s displeasure. Thus, Islam directs both parties and not men only to observe this rule.

In fact, the wisdom behind such elucidation in describing spouses’ sexual relations and the ideal way to reach full satisfaction – either in quantity or quality – was meant to close the door for any body to find an excuse to commit the major sin of adultery.

It is a sin, which is not accepted in Islam under any circumstances.

I really appreciate your interest in Islam. Still, I advise you to read it from its original sources. These are now available through the Internet and many other ways.

This is rather than discovering Islam through sources, which deliberately distort its beautiful and comprehensive message.

The message of Islam, dear Bethany, touches every aspect of people’s lives, even their sexual life!

Some simply misinterpret this message by focusing on “choosing” specific Quranic verses or taking parts of the rulings, that serves their interpretations, and leaving the other parts.  - aboutislam.net

Show Your Gratitude Through Worship

 

One of the fundamental components of a person’s relationship with Allah is worship. As one’s heart is filled with gratitude to one’s benefactor, one expresses indebtedness, humility, and surrender to him.

This is a natural response, observed even in domestic animals and pets. They express gratitude by gesture or look, but human beings are required to express gratitude in a much more pronounced manner.

It is an ordinary experience that a person owing a debt of gratitude to another expresses these feelings in appropriate manners and speech. Those failing to thank their benefactors are generally regarded as at least uncouth or ill-natured. It is part of the human nature to hold one’s benefactor in esteem.

Given this, we can see what gratitude we owe to our true Benefactor, Allah, Who is the source of all favors and blessings. We owe our very existence to Him. His favors are not ephemeral, but eternal.

Ho to Be Grateful

One should reflect gratitude to Allah by way of surrendering humbly and fully to Him. In doing so, one acts in a natural way and will be blessed with tranquility and spiritual contentment. However, those overwhelmed by neglect or ignorance fail to give thanks to their Creator and Benefactor. They even fail to think of Him or do so only in a passing and cursory manner.

The gratitude we owe to Allah is manifested in our worship. It is expressed both verbally and by gesture and body movement. Worship embodies outwardly our gratitude to our Benefactor.

One’s whole being is involved in the act of worship. Each body part contributes in its own way, and one’s mental and spiritual faculties are also actively involved.

One’s whole being takes part in paying homage to the Creator, because it is incumbent upon to involve also all those means and ways by which one meets their worldly needs.

Gratitude in Quran and Sunnah

There is no need of weighty arguments to illustrate that the worship of Allah manifests our gratitude to our real, true Benefactor. This appears clearly in the opening surah of the Qur’an, Al-Fatihah.

Surat Al-Fatihah is woven around the theme of gratitude and it forms an essential part of prayer in Islam. It emerges from studying this surah that one’s gratitude in response to Allah’s lordship, mercy, and compassion prompts one to exclaim {We worship You alone} (Al-Fatihah 1:5).

It is also evident from other Qur’anic verses  that worship is synonymous with the expression of gratitude to Allah. For example, {Worship Allah and be among His grateful servants} (Az-Zumar 39:66).

Elsewhere, one is directed to worship and thank Him: {So seek your provision from Allah, and serve Him, and give thanks unto Him} (Al-`Ankabut 29:17).

It is reported about Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that he stood for so long in his Night Vigil Prayer that his feet would swell up.

Take the following hadith as illustrative: The Prophet’s wife `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said, I asked, “Messenger of Allah, why do you exert yourself so much while all your sins have been forgiven?”

To this he replied, “`A’ishah, should I not be a grateful servant of Allah?” (Muslim).

Worship is prompted by one’s feeling of gratitude to Allah. Allah’s commands are not meant to put us through any inconvenience. Rather, Allah has prescribed certain forms for expressing our gratitude, and these forms are approved by Him. These accrue numerous blessings to us.

In terms of its essence, true worship is characterized by genuine and overflowing gratitude to Allah. By worshiping Allah, one discharges obligations toward the Creator, Master, Benefactor, and Lord.

It Is for Our Own Benefit

One does not do so for the sake of benefiting in any way the Creator and Master but rather earns blessings for oneself and makes oneself worthy of more rewards. It is clear from several Qur’anic verses that Allah is to be worshiped because He is the Creator, Master, Sustainer, and Lord.

Our worship does not profit Him in any way, and our refusal to worship Him does not harm Him in the least. However, unbelievers refusing to worship Him are liable to fall more deeply into error and are more likely to follow the path of Satan rather than the straight way prescribed by Allah.

Excerpted with some modifications from Tazkiyah: The Islamic Path of Self-Development, The Islamic Foundation.

Are Mosque Partitions for Men and Women Sunnah?

 

Historical Practices of Gender Arrangement in Mosques

Both men and women are allowed to pray in the mosque in the same congregational prayer. When men and women are together in the mosque then we should have first men’s lines behind the Imam, then children and then women.

This is the way Muslims used to pray behind the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He did not make or ask his Companions to have a curtain or wall between the lines of men and women. (See Al-Sindi’s Commentary on Sunan An-Nasa’i, p. 798)

According to the Shari`ah, it is not required to have a partition, neither of temporary nor of permanent nature, between men and women in the mosque.

It is perfectly Islamic to hold meetings of men and women inside the mosque, whether for prayers or for any other Islamic purpose, without separating them with a curtain, partition or wall.

Proper Islamic Dress Code for Women in Mosques

It is, however, very important that Muslim women come to public gatherings wearing proper Islamic dress, for it is forbidden for a Muslim woman to attend a public gathering without a full Islamic dress. She must cover her hair and neck with a scarf, which should also go over her bosom. Her dress should be modest and loose enough in order not to reveal the shape of her body.

It stands to reason that partitions were introduced inside the mosque later in Islamic history. This was done, perhaps, because some women began coming to mosques without observing proper Islamic dress, or perhaps, some men wanted to discourage them from coming to Mosques.

In the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), there was no curtain or partition in his mosque, although women used to come to the mosque almost for every prayer and for many other gatherings. It is, however, reported that they used to come to the mosque dressed up in long clothes.

Aishah, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her) said that the believing women used to attend the Dawn prayer with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). They used to come wrapped up in their long garments and then they used to return to their homes after the prayer, no one could recognize them because of the darkness. (Al-Bukhari)

Jama`ah means a congregation of people who are praying behind one Imam in continuous lines without any barrier or interruption. As for people who pray behind the Imam, they should either see the Imam or see those who are in front of them.

There is no Jama`ah when a person is in one room and his/her Imam in another room, the lines are not continuous and the people behind the Imam are also not visible, otherwise people would not have to come to the mosque for Jama`ah prayer. They would stay home and pray listening to the loudspeakers from their mosque or through intercoms. They could nowadays even pray Jama`ah prayer in this way in their own homes listening to the prayer broadcasts coming from Makkah and Madinah on their radios, television sets or through the Internet. But no jurists have ever allowed a Jama`ah prayer in this way.

The definition of Jama`ah that I gave above is a general one and it is applicable to both men and women. Only in the case of necessity this rule can be relaxed. For example, if the mosque was too small and people had to pray on different levels or in different rooms to accommodate every person then this would be permissible because of necessity. Muslims should not deliberately and for no reason bifurcate their congregation in their mosques.

Exceptions and Modern Mosque Arrangements

If there is a concern that the lines of men and women will mix inside the mosque, then there is no harm in putting a lower barrier, only to demarcate the separate area for women. But women should not be put in a totally separate room in the mosque unless there is a shortage of space and no other proper arrangement can be done for them.

Almighty Allah knows best.

- aboutislam.net

About Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi

Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi is the Chairman of the Fiqh Council of North America