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QUESTION: I don't understand why women can't enter the masjid while they are menstruating. I understand that during the Prophet's (SAW) time, there wasn't proper protection. Today, there is proper protection in order to ensure that one doesn't "leak". At my masjid, the women who can't pray sit in a dark, cold corner, where the kids all talk and cry. I don't see it as being fair, especially during the odd nights in Ramadan. I would also like to engage in worship, make dua, read the Qur'an, and listen to lectures....why should I not be blessed and not do ibadah just because I'm on my period? There is no proper arrangement in my masjid for women to sit and listen, everywhere you go there are kids screaming and crying except in the main prayer hall. Allah knows my intention, and I am there to worship him on a night which could be better than a thousand other nights. Please explain this to me. ANSWER: As-Salamu `alaykum:

There was protection even in the time of the Prophet, upon him peace, and menstruating women did not go around "leaking" whether at home or outside it, so the Law that was good for them is good for us also. Yes, you are right that it is not fair that women should sit in a dark, cold corner or stuck with pesky tots day in and day out but this is irrespective of their physical state and the rulings pertaining thereto. More importantly, one is blessed and doing `ibada regardless of one's physical state because worship is not founded upon the acts of the body but upon intention as the Prophet said, upon him peace:

"Actions count only according to intention."

Therefore, your intention to worship Allah Most High is fulfilled regardless of the state of your body, and your reward may thus be just as great if not greater in the fact that you follow His guidelines and submit to His Decree as applies to your condition and your responsibilities as a family caretaker, than it would be if you were praying in the heart of the Ka`ba on Laylat al-Qadr without the least attachment to the dunya.

Hajj Gibril

[Source: SunniPath]