Is gender-mixed salat in the Mosque forbidden in The Quran?
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My Dream Mosque Equality at Last
I was exchanging messages with my friend R the other day over our concerns about men running our Mosque boards, councils, finances and Sunday school programs, and the lack of female representation in the 'big picture' decisions. We decided that change was almost impossible so we came up with this brilliant idea why not create our own mosque from scratch?
Our Mosque however will be nontraditional. Men won't be the sole decision makers. Women will have equal access and say on all matters concerning everyone.
Mosque Layout
Main Prayer Space Our first order of business will be to reconstruct the layout of the mosque. The main prayer hall will encompass both men and women. They will be able to visibly see the Imam and participate during the congregation in the same space as the Imam. There will be an overflow space available (first come, first serve) which will serve both genders (which will be equipped with screens that transmit the sermon and prayer services). In addition, the prayer hall will be high tech, equipped with screens for audio and video presentations.
http//1.bp.blogspot.com/_XiYt58576QI/S6zLnSLVouI/AAAAAAAAH3g/xHB8ip5YN-4/s320/Mosque+Layout.jpg
Women would pray on one side, and men another side with a fair distance in between. I spoke to Hijabman (hijabman.com) about distance issues and he mentioned a knee barrier in between. I don't see a reason why women must be behind men (I am sick of staring at men's boxers!). Side by side works better to keep modesty and equal distance from the Imam. I would like to pray in the first few lines for a change.
Also, the same prayer space will eliminate disturbances found in traditional mosques where women and children are secluded in a basement or back room.
Accommodations Special accommodations will be available. For example, Braille Qurans, Large-print Qurans, chairs for seating, and permanent ramps for easy access to all mosque facilities will be available. Also, the parking lot will be equipped with handicap parking spaces to be utilized by members of the community. Additional accommodations will be available upon request!
Nursery The nursery will be free of charge for all children and will be run by parent volunteers. The nursery will give parents with small children the freedom to use Mosque facilities without disturbing others and boring their own children.
Kitchen Food is an important aspect of the Muslim community so naturally a safe, highly equipped kitchen is needed. The most important aspect of this kitchen is the ventilation system because we don't want to end up with a Mosque smelling like curry.
Dining/Cafe area The dining area will be equipped to hold 200 people for big celebrations such as Eid parties or Ramadan dinners. Recycling bins will be distributed throughout to maintain the greenness of the Mosque. There will also be coffee/refreshment center for families to socialize between classes or while children are in class.
School Facilities The Mosque will have an area for either a weekend or full-time Islamic program.
Gym/Play area A mosque is more than a place to worship God in the West, it's also a place for the community to come together. A gym and play area for young children and adults interested would make the Mosque a fun experience for the entire family. The space also provides opportunities to hold different classes such as karate, wrestling, dance lessons, etc.
Community Garden The garden will be run by Mosque volunteers and a place where people of the local community (Muslim and Non-Muslim) will get to enjoy. This can extend to a weekly Farmer's market when large enough!
Other services such as interfaith services, funeral services, employment opportunities, food shelters, etc could be implemented with sufficient volunteers and funds.
Internal Organization
Elected Board Non-profit status which requires democratically elected board members and officers. It also assures that the members of the Mosque will have the final say on how the Mosque will run unlike many of the traditional mosques that are privately owned and are run like a dictatorship! In addition, the bylaws will note a 50/50 gender divide to ensure equality and representation of all genders!
Full-Time staff Volunteer run organizations means sloppy work and non-professionalism. With staff on the payroll with precise job descriptions, the organization will run much smoother. (read accountability!)
Imam The spiritual leader of the Mosque must be well acquainted with current Muslim issues in the U.S. and a fluent English speaker. In addition, the Imam should have credentials in Islamic studies.
Counseling Services The mosque can contract with a family counselor for Muslim couples in need of counseling or other individuals with need for counseling. The service will be provided at a minimal fee.
**I realize that these are big dreams and my design is elementary, but there is no shame in starting small. I would like to hear your ideas.
Let the revolution begin
http//organicmuslimah.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-dream-mosque-equality-at-last.html
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Leyna
That was what I was talking about.afridi
Totally nonsense, do not tell us about the culture of "Pakhtunkhawa", Pakistan is burning because of some rigid Pashtuns, former Russians and Arabs, not only Pakistan but whole the world.And when it is said to them, Do not make mischief in
the land, they say We are but peace-makers.
Now surely they themselves are the mischief makers,
but they do not perceive.
(Al-Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 11-12)
The Madrassaas most of them are doing fine job, they donot produce terrorists, only few of them are involved, most of them are located in Pakhtunkhawa that too which are being sponsored by different countries for their own purposes, Like Iran and, Saudi Arabia to have supremacy in Islamic world, that has nothing to do with Quran and ISlam,
I can debate with you on this specific subject of 72 virgins nonsense...,Wow raja so really don?t know those fanatics called Taliban witch you called pukhtoon came from madares in Punjabhmm and sepahe sahaba , sepahe Mohammed humm they are all pukhtoon too nice one keep blaming.
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Peace,
Respect.Sister Leyna, I support you 100,000% and I would just like to ad that even though the walls will be white, for better lighting, I'd like to see all the carpets green, it will give the illusion of being in the garden, just a thought.
I'd also like so suggest that no words or letters of any kind, language be present on the wall so that a person who is praying is truly focused on the prayer/reading. Big and clean windows is soemthign that must be taken care of.
I support this, you got my vote.
Is this about a mosque which is already built and you're gonna change it or are you talking about a land which needs to be bought and mosque which needs to be built?
Just geting informed.God bless you.
Peace. -
Peace, Alen
This was not written by me. But you can follow the link I posted and write to the lady who posted this on her blog.
I also love her mosque garden project, that's really nice! And a good way to get people to work together on something beneficial and productive.
http//organicmuslimah.blogspot.com/2010/05/mosque-garden-my-2-year-project.html
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Leyna
Mosque Layout
Main Prayer Space Our first order of business will be to reconstruct the layout of the mosque. The main prayer hall will encompass both men and women. They will be able to visibly see the Imam and participate during the congregation in the same space as the Imam. There will be an overflow space available (first come, first serve) which will serve both genders (which will be equipped with screens that transmit the sermon and prayer services). In addition, the prayer hall will be high tech, equipped with screens for audio and video presentations.
!mam in the front, Ladies on the right and Men on the left or vice versa, with a barrie betweem them, offcourse this is a nice lay out by that lady you mention, but it is far away from what you want, or is it you want to start with this to gain your goal.
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Peace
The topic is " Is gender -mixed salat in the Mosque forbidden in The Qur'an" ?
To get the answer , first define what salat is .
What makes you people think that the congregational prayers commonly performed in mosques by muhammadan = Salat ?
I for one do not think that "The Bending Over and kneeling rituals is Salat . As for gender mixed prayers , why would the Qur'an forbid it ?
The Qur'an clearly advises us to hold fast to the rope of god altogether , not just men or women but Together !
Peace
almarh0m
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almarhoom
What makes you people think that the congregational prayers commonly performed in mosques by muhammadan = Salat ?
there is no such thing as Muhammadans..don't try to force Christain missionaries name on MUslims.
Salat is Physical as well spirtiual and that is proven from Quran, I think we have alraedy discussed this in previous thread long ago. -
afridi
Wow raja so really don?t know those fanatics called Taliban witch you called pukhtoon came from madares in Punjabhmm and sepahe sahaba , sepahe Mohammed humm they are all pukhtoon too nice one keep blaming.
No it is not I who am blaming, but you who doesnot like to hear the truth
Who is Mullah Umar? Where did he studied, He is an ethnic Pashtun from the Hotak tribe, which is part of the larger Ghilzai branch,After he was disabled, Omar studied and taught in a madrasah, or Islamic seminary, in the Pakistani border city of Quetta. He was reportedly a mullah at a village madrasah near the Afghan city of Kandahar.
BAit-Ullah Meshud a Pusthoon
HAkeem Ullah a Pusthon
Jalal Din Haqani a Pushton
Hikmatyaar a Pushtoonall the top leadership of Taliban is Pushtoon and most of them studied in NWFP.
and Al-Qaida leadership is from Arab and former russian states as i mentioned above. -
almarhoom
there is no such thing as Muhammadans..don't try to force Christain missionaries name on MUslims.
Salat is Physical as well spirtiual and that is proven from Quran, I think we have alraedy discussed this in previous thread long ago.Peace Raaajah
You can deny all you like that there is no such thing as " Muhammadans " , Muhammad worshippers , and Muslim-Stone-Lovers , but the reality is just that ....real fact for people who sees .
I am so glad to have a genious such as yourself on the forum who had concluded that "Salat" is physical as well well spritual . What I asked was "Define Salat" and is Salat = "The Bending over and Kneeling Rituals " ? . Please provide comprensive evidence for your conclusion .
Thank You
almarh0m
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almarhoom
I am so glad to have a genious such as yourself on the forum who had concluded that "Salat" is physical as well well spritual . What I asked was "Define Salat" and is Salat = "The Bending over and Kneeling Rituals " ? . Please provide comprensive evidence for your conclusion .
Thank You
almarh0m
Dear, last time when we were discussing the subject, I said if you are Ismaeili why don't say so? and you got a bit angry at me, I am searching for that thread, if found it will be easier to continue, otherwise I will start a new thread because I too want to clear confusion regarding Salaat being spirtual, Physical, both or some thing else according to Quran.
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Rasul Hamsa
Oh is that so...
What dress will they wear in Masajid the women, because according to you and Leyana as it fits them, it is freedom.. this will lead us to where i pointed out in my early post.that is a lame logic, used by Quran aloners often, show me where it is in Quran? You have started a new custom, you have to provide evidence for it from Quran? Show me verse Exclusively allowing mix gender prayers in Masaajids? simple I will have no objection, infact no one would have after that.
I have studied in co-education schools and my teachers was mostly a female, teaching mix gender, therefore lady Imam is not a taboo for me as you are trying to paint, but I cannot forget the remarks of my different class mates when we are senior high school about the female teachers, we talked about their dressings their body parts and even enjoyed their thoughts in bed at night.
I still remeber that Mauzana in Amina Waduds prayer, wearing high heel shoes, with a tight fitted upper, and without a "Dopata", I confess it would have been very hard for me to concenterate on any thing else.
Now come on don't just start attacking me with all those booos and baaas, it is just natrual and if some one disagrees either she is woman or too old.I am neither a woman nor too old, you need to learn how to control yourself.
Rasul Hamsa rotfl
and where exactly is it allowed rotfl
What do you mean and where is it allowed? You are not supposed to forbid things which God has not forbidden...
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My Dream Mosque Equality at Last
I was exchanging messages with my friend R the other day over our concerns about men running our Mosque boards, councils, finances and Sunday school programs, and the lack of female representation in the 'big picture' decisions. We decided that change was almost impossible so we came up with this brilliant idea why not create our own mosque from scratch?
Our Mosque however will be nontraditional. Men won't be the sole decision makers. Women will have equal access and say on all matters concerning everyone.
Mosque Layout
Main Prayer Space Our first order of business will be to reconstruct the layout of the mosque. The main prayer hall will encompass both men and women. They will be able to visibly see the Imam and participate during the congregation in the same space as the Imam. There will be an overflow space available (first come, first serve) which will serve both genders (which will be equipped with screens that transmit the sermon and prayer services). In addition, the prayer hall will be high tech, equipped with screens for audio and video presentations.
http//1.bp.blogspot.com/_XiYt58576QI/S6zLnSLVouI/AAAAAAAAH3g/xHB8ip5YN-4/s320/Mosque+Layout.jpg
Women would pray on one side, and men another side with a fair distance in between. I spoke to Hijabman (hijabman.com) about distance issues and he mentioned a knee barrier in between. I don't see a reason why women must be behind men (I am sick of staring at men's boxers!). Side by side works better to keep modesty and equal distance from the Imam. I would like to pray in the first few lines for a change.
This is too 'traditional' for me... nothing new...
Why not let the women be in front? I don't mind seeing women but... erghh.. 'boxers'...
Why not put the Imam in Center Stage, and the ummah encircling him or her..(or neither him or her) and the ummah can interrupt the imam anytime for questions or 'corrections'.
Or why not give an X shaped stage in the center, as thus the Imam can 'run' from side to side while yelli.. erghhh preaching...Salam / Peace
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This is too 'traditional' for me... nothing new...
Why not let the women be in front? I don't mind seeing women but... erghh.. 'boxers'...
Why not put the Imam in Center Stage, and the ummah encircling him or her..(or neither him or her) and the ummah can interrupt the imam anytime for questions or 'corrections'.
Or why not give an X shaped stage in the center, as thus the Imam can 'run' from side to side while yelli.. erghhh preaching......scorching your ears sometimes, yeah, i know yes which points to... what's matter more? the mixed gender issue or the whole method of Salat & masjid itself?
Do you guys think the current "preaching" and centralized "prayer" mode is already working effectively? Participation is quite lacking. I read a joke here on fm yesterday Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car. The same can easily be observed in the nearest traditional mosques today.