Congregational prayers for women in Islam

Submitted by Prashant (India), Feb 9, 2023 at 02:07

Dear Dr Pipes,

A representation was recently made before the Indian Supreme Court by Indian Muslim Personal Law Board. The Indian Supreme Court was evaluating the rights of all Indian women of all religions to attend their places of worship.
There are sporadic cases involving many religions in India where women are not allowed entry into temples. The Supreme Court is attempting to remedy this situation.

Indian Muslim Personal Law Board essentially protects the Sharia for Indian Muslims. This body told the Supreme Court that everything was hunky dory for Muslim Indian women. Allah provisioned that while they can enter the Mosques freely, they cannot worship with the men. And, congregational prayers were necessary for men but not necessary for women. Further, Allah was kind enough to allow the same heaven-related benefits to women as to men if they pray privately at home even though they don't pray in congregation.

The Islamist body said all this with a straight face. I guess, Muslim women are lucky; who wants to pray in the violence prone Islamic congregations any way?

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