Can Women Establish Tarawih Prayer At Mosques?

Can women establish tarawih prayer at mosques?

The Prophet Muhammad (saw) expressed on many occasions that women may come to masjid but performing their prayer at home is more superior, and said, “Do not prevent your women from visiting the mosque; but their houses are better for them (for praying).” (Abu Dawud, Salat, 53; Hakim, al-Mustadraq, I, 327)

It is known that the Prophet Muhammad allowed women to go masjids, even encouraged them to attend eid prayer in the joyous days like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha which were calebrated altogether so that they could experience the joy of the eid (Bukhari, ‘Eidayn, 15, 21; Muslim, Salat al-Eidayn, 1-3, 10-12). However, the Messenger of Allah (saw) gave some advices to the women who will come to mosque, and prohibited them to wear too attractive clothes (Muslim, Libas, 125) and wear fragrance (Muslim, Salat, 141-142).

Accordingly, although it is more virtuous for women to establish their prayers at their homes, it is permissible for them to establish fardh and tarawih prayers in congregation at mosques on condition that they show due sensitivity (Zaylai, Tabyin, I, 139, 168; Ibn Nujaym, al-Bahr, I, 380).

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWA