AIMPLB To SC: Entry Of Muslim Women Into Mosques To Offer Namaz Is Permissible

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has told the Supreme Court (SC) that the entry of women into mosques for offering namaz (prayers) inside is permitted. Taking notes from the common belief, Muslim women, like men, cannot pray in the mosque and are religiously prohibited. But, it is not that so. According to the Islamic religion, there is no restriction on women going to the mosque and offering namaz. However, veiling between men and women is mandatory.

AIMPLB files an affidavit in SC

The AIMPLB said that a Muslim woman is free to enter a mosque for prayers and it is her option to exercise her right to avail such facilities as available for prayers in a mosque.

Moreover, the board said this in an affidavit filed in the apex court which is seized of a plea relating to the entry of Muslim women into the mosque for offering namaz.

In the affidavit filed by advocate M R Shamshad, said, “It is submitted that the questions raised in the present petition are not in the background of state action. The practices of religion in the places of worship (which in the present matter are mosques) are purely private bodies regulated by ‘Muttawalis’ of the mosques.”

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Petition Filed in the SC

In 2022, Farha Anwar Hussain Shaikh filed a petition in the top court and sought a direction that the alleged practices of prohibition the entry of Muslim women into mosques in India are illegal and unconstitutional. The plea is likely to be heard by the top court in March.

Moreover, the affidavit said that the AIMPLB, being a body of experts without any state powers, can only issue advisory opinions based on Islamic principles.

Also, it said the AIMPLB and the SC, cannot enter into the arena of detailed arrangements of a religious place, which is a completely privately managed entity for religious practices of believers in religion.

It said, “Considering the said religion texts, doctrines, and religious beliefs of the followers of Islam, it is submitted that entry of women into mosques for offering namaz inside mosques is permitted.”

“Thus, a Muslim woman is free to enter into a masjid (mosque) for prayers. It is her option to exercise her right to avail such facilities as available for prayers in a masjid,” the affidavit added.

The affidavit said that Islam has not made it obligatory for Muslim women to join daily five times prayers in the congregation nor is it obligatory for women to offer weekly Friday ‘Namaz’ in the congregation, though it is so for Muslim men.