Voice of British Muslim Women

Navida Sayed, London

Following the news reports on @BBCNews website and the Daily Telegraph three days ago about restrictions on Muslim women to worship in mosques, we once again read calls for equal rights and women only spaces in mosques around the UK, alleging Covid is an excuse to shut women out. One activist likened mosques to men’s clubs[1]. Unfortunately, in some areas there is inadequate or no space for Muslim women in some mosques.  However, this is could not be further from the truth for the Baitul Futuh mosque, which was mentioned in both the news reports. Mainstream news outlets misrepresented and sensationalised on account of misconstrued allegations by those who view mosques as male dominated, patriarchal spaces.

A recent report highlights an official inquiry commissioned by the UK government identified that the risk of dying from Covid-19 is substantially higher in people from BAME groups than those from White ethnic groups, with the highest mortality rates seen among people from Black and Asian backgrounds.[2] Baitul Futuh is largely attended by families of south Asian ethnicity. Indeed, we have more than adequate women only space at Baitul Futuh mosque, yet during the pandemic with restrictions in place we have felt safe following government guidelines by worshipping at home.

To use the Covid situation to divide communities and cause strife instead of uniting and supporting, does not help the emotional and mental well-being of individuals affected by the impact of the pandemic. In these challenging times prayer is a source of solace for many individuals and the act of worship is a sacred communion with God, not a battle of the sexes. Any individual can observe Prayer and communion with God worshipping at home or in the mosque.

Islamic teachings do not prohibit women entering mosques and Praying there, historical evidence shows that women in the time of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) attended congregational Prayers in the mosque.

It is narrated that the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘When women ask permission for going to the mosque, do not prevent them.’ (Sahih Muslim 442a). In fact, it is evident that women and children were present during congregational Prayers at the time of the Holy Prophet (peace be on him) recorded in the following traditions: The Holy Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) showed great respect for mothers. He stated, ‘During Prayer when I hear a child crying, I shorten my Prayer in apprehension of the trouble to the mother.’ (Tirmidhī).

It is also narrated that the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: ‘Do not prevent your womenfolk from attending the mosque, even though their houses are better for them.’  (Sunan Abu Dawud) The hadith does not infer that women are not worthy of Praying in a mosque, nor is this a gateway for men to dictate that the woman’s place is only in the home. The beauty, wisdom and logic behind these teachings offer Muslim women the choice and freedom to pray at home or in the mosque, whereas Muslim men do not have the option. In fact, women can reap the same blessings through worshipping at home.

In the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community we are blessed to have a spiritual guide and world leader His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad who graciously guides us weekly through his Friday Sermons and we have access to his virtual discourses. We look forward to going back to our mosques to Pray and meet our lovely members of the community when it is safe to do so.

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[1] “Mosques that don’t given women equal space to pray should face consequences”. 2021. inews.co.uk <https://inews.co.uk/opinion/mosques-mens-clubs-women-equal-space-to-pray-ramadan-974253&gt; [accessed 4 May 2021]

[2]“The Disproportionate Impact Of COVID-19 On BAME Communities In The UK: An Urgent Research Priority | Coronavirus (COVID-19) Blog Posts Collection – BMJ Journals”, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Blog Posts Collection – BMJ Journals, 2021 <https://blogs.bmj.com/covid-19/2020/09/25/the-disproportionate-impact-of-covid-19-on-bame-communities-in-the-uk-an-urgent-research-priority/&gt; [Accessed 4 May 2021]