WOMEN COMING OUT FOR EID

Please provide the Hadith that restricts menstruating women from entering the mosques. Also comment on the attached Sahih Hadith where women were ORDERED to come out to the mosques on the Day of Eid. (Sahih Bukhari Volume 2, Book 15, Number 88).

Narrated Umm ’Atiya (radiallaha anha): We used to be ordered to come out on the Day of ’Id and even bring out the virgin girls from their houses and menstruating women so that they might stand behind the men and say Takbir along with them and invoke Allah along with them and hope for the blessings of that day and for purification from sins.

A: The Hadith requested by yourself is recorded by Imaam Abu Dawud (RA) in his Sunan (pg.34) and is classified as Hasan by Haafiz ibn-ul-Qattaan and Haafiz al-Zayla’ee. (Nasbur Raayah vol.1 pg.194)

Other scholars of Hadith such as Hafiz al-Munziri (RA) have also attested to its authenticity.

The Hadith of Sahih Bukhari referred to by you does not contradict the abovementioned narration in any way. The Salaat of Eidayn is performed in an open field and not in a Musjid. There is no mention of the Musjid in this Hadith. (Refer Fathul Baari vol.1 pg.505; Hadith No.: 324 and Umdatul Qaari vol.3 pg.305)

Note: As for women attending the Eid Salaat during that era, the Ulama have stated the reason for this was to show the power of numbers that Muslims possessed so that others realise that those who desired to accept Islam become more confident and easily attracted.

and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best