Do women pray with men in a separate area in Mina while they are in the camp, whether behind them or beside them, and if it is not prescribed, is it permissible?
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The questioner : May Allah reward the honorableThe Shaykh : In the camps, there are many women and men. Do men pray with women in a separate area in Mina while they are in the camp, whether behind them or beside them, or is there a distinction between those on the side and those behind? And if it is not prescribed, is it prescribed for a woman to pray with those women, or what should they do? Do they pray individually and disperse? Men may disturb the women during prayer.
The Shaykh : It is permissible for women to pray following the men, just as it is permissible for them to pray in the mosques of the town. If they do not pray with the imam, the imam of the men, they may pray in congregation, and they may pray individually. This is because a woman is not among those obligated to pray in congregation, so it is not said that we must obligate her to pray with the men’s congregation or that women must establish a congregation for themselves. For this reason, scholars have differed on whether it is recommended (sunnah) for women to pray in congregation, whether in travel or residence, or whether it is not recommended. Some said: It is recommended for them to establish the congregational prayer if they are separate from the men. Others said: It is not recommended, and that those addressed regarding the congregation are only men. However, if they do it and establish the prayer in congregation, there is no blame on them. The summary of the answer is that we say: In camps that have women, it is permissible for women to pray in congregation with the men, but without free mixing (ikhtilat). It is better for the women to be behind the men. It is permissible for the women to be in a tent adjacent to the men’s tent, either on the right or on the left, but the imam must be in front in his place. Yes.
The questioner : Does the presence of a passageway have an effect?
The Shaykh : What passageway?
The questioner : Between the men’s and women’s camps.
The Shaykh : The presence of a passageway does not have an effect because the camp is one. But as I said, women praying alone is better than their praying with the men if that necessitates free mixing (ikhtilat). Yes.
The Shaykh : It is permissible for women to pray following the men, just as it is permissible for them to pray in the mosques of the town. If they do not pray with the imam, the imam of the men, they may pray in congregation, and they may pray individually. This is because a woman is not among those obligated to pray in congregation, so it is not said that we must obligate her to pray with the men’s congregation or that women must establish a congregation for themselves. For this reason, scholars have differed on whether it is recommended (sunnah) for women to pray in congregation, whether in travel or residence, or whether it is not recommended. Some said: It is recommended for them to establish the congregational prayer if they are separate from the men. Others said: It is not recommended, and that those addressed regarding the congregation are only men. However, if they do it and establish the prayer in congregation, there is no blame on them. The summary of the answer is that we say: In camps that have women, it is permissible for women to pray in congregation with the men, but without free mixing (ikhtilat). It is better for the women to be behind the men. It is permissible for the women to be in a tent adjacent to the men’s tent, either on the right or on the left, but the imam must be in front in his place. Yes.
The questioner : Does the presence of a passageway have an effect?
The Shaykh : What passageway?
The questioner : Between the men’s and women’s camps.
The Shaykh : The presence of a passageway does not have an effect because the camp is one. But as I said, women praying alone is better than their praying with the men if that necessitates free mixing (ikhtilat). Yes.