The Ruling on Women Remaining in the Sacred Precinct

Question:
Women remaining in the Sacred Precinct now?

Answer:
As for women, if there is no harm, provided they are covered and keep away from fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), there is nothing wrong with it. This is like the story of Sa'd ibn Mu'adh when he was wounded in his arm on the Day of the Trench; the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) set up a tent for him in the mosque. There was also a woman in the mosque who had a tent there; she had no family, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) allowed her to remain in the mosque.
So if there is a need for it, there is nothing wrong, but she must be in a covered place... Some of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would perform i'tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) in the mosque in covered tents. So if a woman's presence in the mosque causes no harm, such as in a private tent... a private one, and there is a need for it, there is no blame on her... However, one must be careful not to cause harm to the mosque. Even if some people hold festivals in the mosques—I have seen this in this country and elsewhere—on the day of the festival they serve food in the mosque because they do not have housing that can accommodate the people... so the mosque is more spacious. If they use it for food and eat there, there is nothing wrong with it out of necessity, but if... so that no eating takes place in the mosque.