SECTION ON PRAYER · 17 – SEPARATION OF WOMEN FROM MEN IN THE MOSQUE
It is related from Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said:
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “(It would be better) to leave this gate of the mosque for women.” Naafi said: Ibn ‘Umar did not enter through that gate (designated for women) until his death.
Abd al-Warith says, except for me, they say “‘Umar” instead of Ibn ‘Umar. This narration is more authentic.
COMMENTARY – The gates of the Messenger of Allah’s mosque were named Bab al-Jibril (the Gate of Gabriel), Bab an-Nisa’ (the Gate of Women), Bab as-Salam (the Gate of Peace), Bab Abu Bakr (the Gate of Abu Bakr), and Bab ar-Rahman (the Gate of the Most Merciful). Now gates have been added such as Bab al-Majid and Bab us-Su’ud. The gate following Bab al-Jibril was left for women by the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, due to the Messenger of Greatness designating it for them. Abdullah, son of ‘Umar, did not enter through that gate until his death.
These hadiths indicate that women should not mix with men when going to the mosque and should pray in the areas designated for them within the mosque.
Nafi related, saying that Umar ibn al-Khattab stated it, in the meaning of the preceding hadith. This narration is more authentic.
It is related from Nāfiʿ, may Allah be pleased with him, that ‘Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, may Allah be pleased with him, would forbid women from entering the mosque through their designated door.