The recent incident at Delhi’s Jama Masjid, where single women or women in groups were temporarily banned from entering the mosque premises, has reignited discussions on the right to equality and Islamic laws regarding women’s entry into places of worship. This ban was eventually lifted after intervention from the Lieutenant-Governor. The justification given by the authorities was that some women did not respect the sanctity of the worship place, engaging in activities such as recording videos.
Understanding Islamic Law on Women’s Entry
According to the Quran, women are not prohibited from visiting mosques for prayers. The holy scripture only mentions the establishment of prayer in gender-neutral terms. Before each of the five daily prayers, a call to prayer or ‘azaan’ is made, reminding all believers, men and women alike, to come for prayer and success.
The Global Scenario
Across West Asia, there is no ban on women attending mosques for prayers. Similar practices are followed in the U.S. and Canada, where women not only visit mosques for prayers but also gather for special Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan and attend lessons on religion.
India’s National Scenario
In India, however, only a few mosques managed by the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Ahl-e-Hadith sect provide provisions for women worshippers. While other mosques do not explicitly forbid women’s entry, they lack facilities for women to prepare for prayer or have a dedicated area for them. These structures have been designed primarily with men in mind, effectively making them ‘men only’ zones.
Islamic Scholars’ Opinion on Women’s Access to Mosques
There is a general consensus among Islamic scholars that although prayer can be conducted at home, it is ideally established in a group setting, highlighting the significance of going to a mosque. They also agree that women are exempted, not prohibited from going to the mosque; this exemption is tied to their role in child-rearing and other household responsibilities.
The Legal Issues Surrounding the Ban
As per the Constitution of India, men and women are equals. The landmark Haji Ali Dargah case set a precedent when the High Court referred to Articles 15, 16, and 25 of the Constitution to grant women access to the dargah. There are currently petitions filed with the Supreme Court, seeking access for women to all mosques across India. These have been combined with the Sabarimala case for review.
Previous Instances of Similar Bans
In 2011, Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai installed a grill on its premises to prevent women from going beyond a certain point. After being denied redress by the dargah management, a group of women began the ‘Haji Ali for All’ campaign. Eventually, in 2016, the Bombay High Court ruled in favor of the women, thanks to the leadership of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan.
