pg 148
Inside the mosque, the women would line up behind the men's ranks, as the postures of prayer, in its various stages, require an arrangement that preserves modesty, decency, and respect. Women prayed, studied, and expressed themselves in that space. Moreover, they found in the Prophet's attitude the epitome of courtesy and regard: he demanded that men remain seated in order to let women leave first and without inconvenience. There was always gentleness and dignity in his behavior toward women, whom he listened to, and whose right to express themselves and set forth their opinions and arguments he acknowledged, protected, and promoted.
Also, according to Tariq Ramadan, mosques were traditionally created as one big room with the men praying in front of the women. The divide was an innovation that came later. It is possible that we are actually not meant to be so literally separated since the reasoning for separation is so we do not have to bend over in front of men (which I am TOTALLY ok with). Just found that to be very interesting, considering it seems that newer mosques are moving back to the one room design or a slight divide, like at my school.
Zaynab is probably my favorite of the women. She was so bold, so head strong. She really spoke up for herself, her beliefs, and her family. She is particularly impressive after Ashura, where she defends herself and her family to her oppressors. Its a beautiful speech, I'll have to find it.
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Zaynab is wonderful... she held the first majalis ever. And I agree about the separating women completely. I am most happy with a balcony that has a see through railing around it, because usually more men come to the mosques here so they get the bottom floor but women still are at the same position, just above and can see everything.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading a hadith too where it said the Prophet would say salam to women and they'd return it as well.
I have to say Muhammad was very good to the women. Amazingly so, given the time period. Heck given today!
ReplyDeleteI like how mine is at school. Its divided with a short wall but you can pass btwn the sections easily. I have also been to one where they are seperate rooms. I didn't mind it so much but it was a really nice room LOL
Hahah! Yeah I think if the room is nice with air con and whatever then okay I'll deal but arrrgghhh I remember going to the National Mosque in Bahrain and the mens section was a.m.a.z.i.n.g! I'm talking 4 meter wide chandeliers, carpet going on forever, a courtyard, everything. Then you go into the women's "section" and it's a separate room with a tv :| It was tiny, compared to the men's one that could easily fit 1000! Guh.
ReplyDeleteThat is how the big mosque is in my area. The women's side is less than to be desired. I can't really go there anyway, they basically only do things in Urdu or Farsi
ReplyDeleteAww I read part of Zaynab's speech a couple days before Ashura. It was really emotional and beautiful, mashaAllah. I don't remember everything that was said, but if you find it somewhere, let me know inshaAllah!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.al-islam.org/ashura/33.htm Here it is
ReplyDeleteMasha'Allah, it's passages like these that make me really love the Prophet (saw). He showed women the respect that they deserve and enjoined all Muslim men to do the same; considering the time and place he was in, this was no commonplace occurrence.
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