Meeting [12 of 63] Is the Ma'sa and the outer courtyards part of al-Masjid al-Haram?

Question : May Allah reward you. The questioner asks: What is the ruling on praying in the courtyards of al-Haram, and in the Ma'sa? Are they part of al-Masjid al-Haram? And is it permissible for a menstruating woman to sit in them?

Answer : Yes. Praying in al-Masjid al-Haram is undoubtedly better than praying in the courtyards. Al-Masjid al-Haram is whatever is inside the gates, whether in the first, second, or third expansion; everything inside the mosque's gates is part of al-Masjid al-Haram, and praying in it is permissible, whether the prayer is for the individual or for some. As for what is outside the mosque, outside the gates, it is not part of the mosque. Accordingly, it is permissible for a menstruating woman to remain there because it is not part of the mosque.
As for the Ma'sa, the Ma'sa is also not part of al-Masjid al-Haram. Therefore, it is permissible for a menstruating woman to sit in it. If a woman menstruates after her tawaf and before her sa'y, she performs the sa'y and there is no blame on her.
Because the Ma'sa is not part of al-Masjid al-Haram. This has implications for those in i'tikaf: Is it permissible for a person in i'tikaf to go to the Ma'sa to sit there for recitation? No, because the Ma'sa is not part of al-Masjid al-Haram. As for the reward, if the rows are connected, meaning the mosque is full and the rows extend, then even if one reaches the area of the camels, the reward is the same, because the people there are such that their companion is not harmed by them, if Allah wills. But without connection, it is not.