Is building walls to separate women's prayer areas from men's prayer areas in mosques, and preventing windows, considered extremism and exaggeration that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not do or command? And is he who does so more zealous than the Messenger (peace be upon him)? And how can a woman pray in congregation behind the Imam in prayer areas completely separate from the men's prayer area, with the mosque courtyard between them? And how can she follow him without seeing him?
There was no barrier between men and women in the mosque during the time of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. However, Islamic law guided towards maintaining a separation between the two genders in the mosque. Therefore, establishing a partition between women and men in the mosque when needed is not an innovation; rather, it falls under the category of al-masalih al-mursalah (unrestricted public interests). Women praying in a separate room or on a different floor from men is permissible, and it is valid to follow the imam by hearing his voice through loudspeakers. It is not a condition to see the imam or the congregants.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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