The Ruling on Installing Barriers in the Mosque

Question:
He says: What is the ruling on installing a barrier for women, given that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was capable of doing so but did not, despite the presence of the cause? Would that be a bid'ah (religious innovation) because one worships Allah by installing it?

Answer:
There is no objection to that. There is no objection to installing a barrier, provided that one does not pray and conclude the prayer within it. If one performs i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) in the mosque, installing a barrier for a valid purpose is permissible. Installing it to separate the women is a valid purpose, and there is no objection to it. Yes. He asks: Do these people not denounce the bid'ah (religious innovation) that is in it? Or do they not denounce things like placing a barrier, the sound of the wool you put there, and they say this is a bid'ah? And laying carpets in the mosque, they say it is a bid'ah. Yes.