ABLUTION SECTION · 93 – A PERSON IN A STATE OF CEREMONIAL IMPURITY ENTERING THE MOSQUE
According to a narration from Cesrate bint-i Decace (may Allah be pleased with her), I heard Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) say: The facades of the homes of the Companions were open (or adjacent) to the mosque of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him). The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) came and said to the companions, "Change the doors of your houses from the mosque." He then entered. The Companions did nothing, hoping that a verse of dispensation might descend concerning them. Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) exited again and said, “Change the doors of your houses from the mosque; I do not permit those in ritual impurity and menstruating women to enter the mosque.” [186]
Abu Dawud said: (Regarding the chain of narrators) The one in the chain is Fulayt al-Amiri.
EXPLANATION: There were homes around the Prophet’s Mosque. Many of these homes had their entrances facing towards the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him)’s mosque. When coming from the market, one would first enter the mosque and then proceed to the houses. Similarly, when exiting from the houses to the market, one would first enter the mosque and then exit. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) commanded his companions to turn their house entrances away from the mosque in order to preserve the adab (etiquette) of the mosque and prevent those who are ritually impure or menstruating from entering it. The Companions initially waited, hoping that a verse of dispensation would come down concerning them. Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) again forbade the facades of the houses facing the mosque, declaring that it is not permissible for those in ritual impurity and menstruating women to enter the mosque.
According to Imam al-A’zam: It is not permissible for a person in ritual impurity or a menstruating woman to pass through a mosque. However, if someone has an involuntary emission while sleeping inside the mosque, they perform tayammum and then leave.
According to Imam Shafi'i and Imam Malik: A person in ritual impurity or a menstruating woman may pass through the mosque provided she does not stop. According to Ahmed bin Hanbal: A person in ritual impurity may enter and pass through the mosque. (Maalim, vol. 1, p. 159)