The Supreme Court was informed on Wednesday by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) that it is acceptable for women to enter mosques and perform namaz there.
According to the board, a Muslim woman is free to visit a mosque for prayers, and she has the choice to exercise her freedom to use whatever facilities are offered for prayers in a mosque.
This was stated by the AIMPLB in an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court, which is considering a case involving Muslim women entering mosques to perform namaz.
The affidavit said that Islam has not made it obligatory for Muslim women to join daily five times prayers in the congregation nor is it compulsory for women to offer weekly Friday ‘Namaz’ in the congregation, though it is so for Muslim men.
According to the Constitution of India
The Indian Constitution declares that men and women are completely equal.
The High Court used Articles 15, 16, and 25 of the Constitution in the Haji Ali Dargah case as well to give women seeking access to the dargah.
The Supreme Court has received applications that ask for access for women in every mosque in the nation.
| Article | Provision |
| Article 15 | Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth |
| Article 16 | Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment |
| Article 25 | Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion |
What is the Islamic Law on Women’s Entry?
The Quran makes no mention of forbidding women from visiting mosques to pray. The Quran uses language that is gender-neutral whenever it discusses how to establish prayer.
The azan, or call to prayer, is said before each of the five daily prayers. The azan, which reminds the faithful to “Come for prayer, come for prosperity,” is a broad exhortation to men and women to pray.
Why women’s were banned?
The prohibition, according to the authorities, is intended to discourage certain ladies from disrespecting the sanctity of the place of worship by filming there.
The management made it clear that the prohibition did not apply to women who were visiting places of worship or who were travelling with their husbands or families.
In 2019, the Jama Masjid administration banned shooting videos with music inside the mosque.
Incidentally, the Jama Masjid is otherwise one of the few mosques to allow women worshippers to offer regular prayers.
Indian Scenario
Only a small number of mosques in India that are run or owned by the Ahl-e-Hadith sect and the Jamaat-e-Islami provide facilities for women worshippers.
While most mosques do not outright restrict women from entering masjids, they do not provide a designated area for women to do their ablutions before prayers.
Global Scenario
West Asia – Women are permitted to attend mosques to worship.
US and Canada- Women can enter mosques in the United States and Canada and even congregate there during Ramadan for special Taraweeh prayers.
India – The Ahl-e-Hadith sect and Jamaat-e-Islami only maintain a small number of mosques that are equipped for female worshippers.
