Alhumdulilah, Women along with their male counterparts have played a role in developing Mosques and prayer spaces and help run Madrassah and community activities within the Mosque. Not forgetting, a private space of prayer dedicated to our mothers and sisters.
Prophetic Mosque with Women
During the time of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, and during the period of the first four Khalifs – women fully participated in the local Mosques. Many women would routinely perform their five daily prayers, Friday Jumm’ah prayers, Ramadan Taraweeh prayers and Eid prayers, as part of the congregation. They also took on full roles in educating their communities, which continues until today.
Fatima Al-Fihri
A great example in our history of a Woman initiating and developing a Mosque is the al-Qarawiyyin Mosque in Fes, Morocco. Fatima al-Fihri was born in 800 A.D. She was the daughter of Mohammed Bnou Abdullah al-Fihri – a rich merchant who settled in Fes with his family during the reign of Idris II.
Fatima was a strong Muslim woman who inherited a huge amount of wealth at the time her father and her husband’s death. She decided to use her weaith to build a Mosque, which her Muslim community in Fes urgently needed – to accommodate an ever-growing number of Muslims!
From the 10th century, the famous Mosque of al-Qarawiyyin became the first religious institute (Oldest known University in the World) and the largest Arab University of North Africa. It attracted a lot of students and renowned scientists.
The Mosque and University continue to thrive until today, welcoming both men and women into the beautiful majestic courtyard – with a central water fountain, spaces for both men and women to pray, learn and contemplate!
Writers note:
“As a writer of this article and an active committee member of a Mosque in the United Kingdom – I can safely say that women play a crucial role in the development of the modern Mosque. Women work hard behind the scene (often not wanting the limelight), and simply serving Allah SWT for His pleasure. The Mosque is a family space in need of men, women and children alike.”
The Islamic Centre of Britain will have a whole floor dedicated for women, educational classes, job opportunities within our nursery and school and opportunities for women to participate on its Board!
