Placing a barrier between men and women in the mosque

Question:
On the occasion of the approaching month of Ramadan, some people say that placing a barrier between men and women is a religious innovation (bid'ah), and that it contradicts the hadith . They say that if it were good, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions after him would have done it. I am the imam of a mosque, and this situation often occurs for me when Ramadan approaches, so I ask you to clarify the ruling on this for us?

Answer:
Do not pay attention to this talk; this is talk with no basis. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) placed a barrier and performed i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) in the mosque within it. He placed a barrier and performed i'tikaf inside it. The wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to place barriers in the mosque and perform i'tikaf inside them. So, placing a barrier has a basis; it is intended for covering, specifically to cover the women from the men. Covering the women from the men is obligatory by the Shari'ah and required by the Shari'ah, and it is not a bid'ah as this ignorant person says. So, do not pay attention to this talk.