Advice to the mother of an infant in the mosque

Question:
What is your advice, Honorable Shaykh, to the mother of an infant who may be harmed by bringing him to the mosque and who may harm the other women by bringing him?

Answer:
We do not say to prevent the woman who has an infant; we do not say to prevent her from the mosque. The female Companions used to pray with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and their young children might be with them. The evidence for this is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when he heard a child crying, would shorten the prayer out of mercy for its mother. The matter is one of discipline and one of the prescribed etiquettes. If the intended purpose is achieved with discipline, there is no harm in it. However, if bringing the children results in harm to the mosque or harm to the worshippers, that is an abomination. It is reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:
This is understood to apply if they cause harm, bad manners in the mosque, or bad manners with the worshippers, or if they disturb the imam. For a woman whose children cause this harm, it is better for her to stay in her home than to attend the mosque, because she would be committing a sin in this case. If she brings children and leaves them in the mosque to play, run around, and romp, she will incur sin by doing so. She should be mindful of this matter. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah bless you