Women in Haidh Entering Masjid al-Aqsa
| Fatwa #2264 | Category: Masjid & Waqf | Country: United Kingdom | Date: 18th February 2026 |
| Fatwa #2264 | Date: 18th February 2026 |
| Category: Masjid & Waqf | |
| Country: United Kingdom | |
Question
As-Salāmu ‘Alaykum Wa Rahmatullāhi Wa Barakātuh
Respected Mufti Sahib,
I would like clarification regarding the ruling of women entering Masjid al-Aqsa while in a state of ḥayḍ.
It is understood that Masjid al-Aqsa refers to the entire compound (al-Ḥaram al-Sharīf) and not only specific buildings such as the Qibli Masjid or the Dome of the Rock. However, I have heard differing scholarly opinions on this matter:
Some state that women in ḥayḍ are permitted to enter the open courtyard/compound, but not the actual prayer structures.
Others state that since the entire compound is considered a masjid, women in ḥayḍ are not permitted to enter any part of it.
Could you please clarify:
- Which of these views is more reliable?
- Whether there is a difference of opinion among the four madhāhib regarding this issue?
- Whether any distinction is made between the buildings and the open areas of the compound?
Additionally, considering the great virtue of populating Masjid al-Aqsa, the encouragement to visit and maintain its presence, and the current circumstances of the Ummah, does this context have any impact on the ruling for women in this situation?
Jazākumullāhu khayran.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Our beloved ustad, Mufti Ebrahim Desai Rahimahullah, had confirmed directly with an Imam of Masjid Aqsa that the entire compound is a masjid.[1] As such, it is not permissible for a woman in her menses to enter the entire area.
All four madhabs have a consensus regarding the fact that a menstruating woman cannot remain inside a masjid.[2] There are some differences amongst the madhabs regarding a menstruating woman passing through a masjid due to a severe need.
Furthermore, the demarcation of a masjid cannot have ‘differences’ in it. It either is or is not a masjid. One would expect an Imam of the masjid itself to be more aware of its demarcations. As such, the entire compound is a masjid.
As for women visiting masaajid, the salah of a woman in her innermost part of the home is better for her. This is applicable to all three Harams too. This ruling remains the same whether Masjid Aqsa is unpopulated or not. It is equally applicable no matter the state of the Ummah at the time. As such, women in their menses cannot enter the area.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Bilal Pandor
Concurred by
Mufti Muhammad Patel
Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah
Lusaka, Zambia
[1] https://www.askimam.org/public/question_detail/43668
الموسوعة الفقهية الكويتية (18/ 322) [2]
دُخُول الْمَسْجِدِ:
41 – اتَّفَقَ الْفُقَهَاءُ عَلَى حُرْمَةِ اللُّبْثِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ لِلْحَائِضِ، لِقَوْل النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: لاَ أُحِل الْمَسْجِدَ لِحَائِضٍ وَلاَ جُنُبٍ (2) وَيَنْدَرِجُ فِيهِ الاِعْتِكَافُ كَمَا صَرَّحَ الْفُقَهَاءُ بِذَلِكَ.
وَاتَّفَقُوا عَلَى جَوَازِ عُبُورِهَا لِلْمَسْجِدِ دُونَ لُبْثٍ فِي حَالَةِ الضَّرُورَةِ وَالْعُذْرِ، كَالْخَوْفِ مِنَ السَّبُعِ قِيَاسًا عَلَى الْجُنُبِ لِقَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى: {وَلاَ جُنُبًا إِلاَّ عَابِرِي سَبِيلٍ} (3) وَاللِّصِّ وَالْبَرْدِ وَالْعَطَشِ، وَلأَِنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَمَرَ عَائِشَةَ أَنْ تُنَاوِلَهُ الْخُمْرَةَ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ فَقَالَتْ إِنَّهَا حَائِضٌ فَقَال حَيْضَتُك لَيْسَتْ بِيَدِكِ، وَزَادَ الْحَنَفِيَّةُ أَنَّ الأَْوْلَى لَهَا عِنْدَ الضَّرُورَةِ أَنْ تَتَيَمَّمَ ثُمَّ تَدْخُل.
وَيَرَى الْحَنَفِيَّةُ وَالْمَالِكِيَّةُ حُرْمَةَ دُخُولِهَا الْمَسْجِدَ مُطْلَقًا سَوَاءٌ لِلْمُكْثِ أَوْ لِلْعُبُورِ، وَاسْتَثْنَى الْحَنَفِيَّةُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ دُخُولَهَا لِلطَّوَافِ. وَذَهَبَ الشَّافِعِيَّةُ وَالْحَنَابِلَةُ إِلَى حُرْمَةِ مُرُورِهَا فِي الْمَسْجِدِ إِنْ خَافَتْ تَلْوِيثَهُ، لأَِنَّ تَلْوِيثَهُ بِالنَّجَاسَةِ مُحَرَّمٌ، وَالْوَسَائِل لَهَا حُكْمُ الْمَقَاصِدِ. فَإِنْ أَمِنَتْ تَلْوِيثَهُ فَذَهَبَ الشَّافِعِيَّةُ إِلَى كَرَاهَةِ عُبُورِهَا الْمَسْجِدَ، وَمَحِل الْكَرَاهَةِ إِذَا عَبَرَتْ لِغَيْرِ حَاجَةٍ، وَمِنَ الْحَاجَةِ الْمُرُورُ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ، لِبُعْدِ بَيْتِهَا مِنْ طَرِيقٍ خَارِجَ الْمَسْجِدِ وَقُرْبِهِ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ. وَذَهَبَ الْحَنَابِلَةُ إِلَى أَنَّهَا لاَ تُمْنَعُ مِنْ مُرُورِهَا فِي الْمَسْجِدِ حِينَئِذٍ. قَال أَحْمَدُ – فِي رِوَايَةِ ابْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ – تَمُرُّ وَلاَ تَقْعُدُ.