Is it permissible for a menstruating woman to enter the mosque?

- Is it permissible for a menstruating woman to enter the mosque?

Dear Brother / Sister,

- It is not permissible for a menstruating woman to enter the mosque except for obligatory cases. It is not permissible for her to enter the mosque, or to sit in it, or to do i’tikaf in it, except when it is obligatory.

The following is stated in a hadith:  

“No menstruating woman or a junub person may enter the mosque.” (Ibn Majah, Taharah, 92; Darimi, Wudu, 116)

Shafiis and Hanbalis consider it permissible for a menstruating or puerperal woman to cross the street through the mosque provided that she does not dirty it. It is reported that the Prophet (pbuh) gave such permission to Aisha (r. anha). (Muslim, Hayd, I1-13; Nasai, Taharah, 172, Hayd, 18; Ibn Majah, Taharah, 120)

It is not permissible for a menstruating woman to enter the mosque and stay there, according to the majority of fiqh scholars, including Hanafis. However, some Islamic scholars have differed on the decree on women entering the mosque when they are in menstruation or puerperium. According to them, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) allowed even non-Muslims into the mosque. Accordingly, although the cleansing of the junub people depends on their own will but since the cleansing of menstruating and puerperal women does not depend on their own will, there is no harm in women in this state entering the mosque in order to benefit from the religious services provided in the mosque, especially the activities of guidance.

The opinion of the Supreme Council of Religious Affairs regarding the issue, numbered 2009/116, is as follows:

“... The issue of “Women in Menstruation and Puerperium Entering the Mosque” was discussed by the Commission for Answering Religious Questions.

Today, Hajj worship can be performed in a limited period of time due to the circumstances. Women who come for Hajj may face a special situation such as menstruation and puerperium during this period. The fact that women who have the opportunity to perform Hajj once in a lifetime due to the circumstances being able to visit Masjid an-Nabawi and Masjid al-Haram in menstruation and puerperium, and to enter the mosques for dua and dhikr, seems to be an important religious problem that needs a solution today.

The majority of Islamic scholars do not consider it permissible for women to enter the mosque when they are in menstruation. However, some scholars consider it permissible. Based on this view, it has been decided by a majority of votes that menstruating women who want to enter Haram ash-Sharif and Masjid an-Nabawi during Hajj while menstruating for purposes such as engaging in dua, dhikr and istighfar, viewing the Kabah or visiting the Prophet (pbuh) can act in accordance with the views of the scholars who allow it.”

(Presidency of Religious Affairs)

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