FRIDAY PRAYER
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Hi & salam
- is it compulsory for women to attend and pray the friday's prayers?
My personal view is that it is compulsory for both men and women, since the verse in question speaks to the believers in general and does not refer to men only.
I researched this some time ago because it always confused me that, according to the mainstream view, Friday prayer is only compulsory for men.
I have not found any explanation that made sense to me. Those who claim that it's only obligatory for men do not quote any verses (or even ahadeeth) to support their point of view. The prohibition rather seems to rely on two arguments
a) that it could cause fitnah. (Which I do not count as an argument because I don't believe in gender segregation at all.)
b) that it would be too much of a burden for women to attend Friday prayers because they have to take care of children, household etc.
That only makes sense if you believe that it's the women's duty alone to take care of those things. I think it's nonsense because there is nothing in the Qur'an that tells us women are the only ones responsible for children and household tasks. And I don't see why a couple shouldn't be able to find a solution that allows both of them to attend the Friday prayers.
I also believe that praying or meditating in a group is beneficial to people in various ways, it's just another sort of energy, so to speak. And it wouldn't be fair to exclude women from that based on their gender.
Sadly, I know of many mosques which don't even allow women in for Friday prayers. And in Egypt, where I live most of the time, many women are actually glad they don't have to go because they are indeed solely responsible for handling children and the household, so it's one obligation less for them.
Here is a typical fatwa with the typically cited reasons. Needless to say, I don't agree with it at all.
Friday Prayer for Women Obligatory?
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Hi & salam
My personal view is that it is compulsory for both men and women, since the verse in question speaks to the believers in general and does not refer to men only.
I researched this some time ago because it always confused me that, according to the mainstream view, Friday prayer is only compulsory for men.
I have not found any explanation that made sense to me. Those who claim that it's only obligatory for men do not quote any verses (or even ahadeeth) to support their point of view. The prohibition rather seems to rely on two arguments
a) that it could cause fitnah. (Which I do not count as an argument because I don't believe in gender segregation at all.)
b) that it would be too much of a burden for women to attend Friday prayers because they have to take care of children, household etc.
That only makes sense if you believe that it's the women's duty alone to take care of those things. I think it's nonsense because there is nothing in the Qur'an that tells us women are the only ones responsible for children and household tasks. And I don't see why a couple shouldn't be able to find a solution that allows both of them to attend the Friday prayers.
I also believe that praying or meditating in a group is beneficial to people in various ways, it's just another sort of energy, so to speak. And it wouldn't be fair to exclude women from that based on their gender.
Sadly, I know of many mosques which don't even allow women in for Friday prayers. And in Egypt, where I live most of the time, many women are actually glad they don't have to go because they are indeed solely responsible for handling children and the household, so it's one obligation less for them.
Here is a typical fatwa with the typically cited reasons. Needless to say, I don't agree with it at all.
Friday Prayer for Women Obligatory?
You are still lucky that you are allowed in hajj. police
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Peace Noor Liza,
I dont see how you can be confused, let's say you think there is a special friday prayer, and you say you take Quran as your guide, then there is no doubt that nowhere in Quran does it prohibit women from this special friday prayer you refer to. If there was, then Traditionalists would surely cite it!
So, feel free to attend.
If on the other hand, your confusion is because it is a struggle to find any Quranic evidence for salat=prayer, let alone a special friday prayer, and guidance on it, then yes you will be confused. And the reason for this is extremely simple, what you are looking for simply does not exist in The Quran. IF I am right, then this is not Quran's problem for not being clear, this is your problem, which you will have to get over. IF I am right of course.
In any case, take your time, read, reflect, see what happens.
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Peace Noor Liza,
I dont see how you can be confused, let's say you think there is a special friday prayer, and you say you take Quran as your guide, then there is no doubt that nowhere in Quran does it prohibit women from this special friday prayer you refer to. If there was, then Traditionalists would surely cite it!
So, feel free to attend.
If on the other hand, your confusion is because it is a struggle to find any Quranic evidence for salat=prayer, let alone a special friday prayer, and guidance on it, then yes you will be confused. And the reason for this is extremely simple, what you are looking for simply does not exist in The Quran. IF I am right, then this is not Quran's problem for not being clear, this is your problem, which you will have to get over. IF I am right of course.
In any case, take your time, read, reflect, see what happens.
Well she of course knows it's her problem, she's telling us that she has a problem.
Hi,
I really hope someone can provide an explanation and definite answer to this. Thanks for all the replies, but I'm still very confused. And I've already missed last friday's prayers if I actually have to perform it.
All I can say is that for now... have a look through the terms that refer to "day of gathering" (which we call "friday", in the quran. And just ask the god for guidance. Simple as that. Just a simple prayer. For your guidance. "the god guide me".
"The god prevent me from becoming confused"
day/time/period
(of)
the gatheringNow put
and
's translations one after the other.
So first and then so it's as first second
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Dear Sister
What Masjid do you attend or shall I say what country do you live in? Every Masjid I have ever prayed the Juma (Friday) congregational prayer in the UAE, Europe, Canada or the USA, women have been attending regularly.
As a matter of fact, my wife and eldest daughter try never to miss the Friday Prayer.
Peace
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I think we As Muslims should try our best to seize any valuable moment/day we possibly can to meet with each other for Motivation, Planning, and reminders so that we can successfully and strategically meet our goals of doing good works togeather.
Most Muslims (traditional and not) have generally chosen FRIDAY for this day of Gathering.
I say We should me Friday or whenever conveniently-strategically possible.Both Male and Female Muslims. The message and Goal is Important for All.
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I hear all of this and to an extent I agree. But God does not make things a burden for us. For many, Friday prayers at sundown are a hardship because of work. Additionally, I would not be inclined to go to a Masjid where its people follow that which is shirk. Wherever there is a congregation of 2-3 or more, that should suffice. But if this is not possible, one should observe the prayers if one cannot congregate with others.
