Is it necessary to have a barrier between men and women in the mosque?
Though it is a common feature of masajid that they separate men and women, it is not a necessity to have a physical barrier between men and women during congregational (jamāʿah) prayer or in the mosque generally. It is important to clarify this point, as not all mosques have the space to create separate men and women’s sections.
Moreover at a gathering when people go to pray it may not be feasible or practicable to erect a curtain, put a partition or have a separate room for women.
In fact, it is not necessary to have a curtain or barrier between men and women during prayer. It is not a religious requirement.
The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ
The clearest guidance comes from the mosque of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Madinah. During his lifetime, there was no curtain, wall, or barrier separating the men and women during the congregational prayer. The women prayed behind the men, and that was it.
Some people might assume that the reason was that they did not have enough materials back then. But this isn’t accurate. The companions had access to fabric and wood. In fact, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), the first caliph, was a textile merchant — they had more than enough to hang a curtain or build a wall. And yet, they didn’t. That tells us something important: it was a conscious choice based on what was most in line with the Prophet’s practice and understanding of modesty and community.
What about modesty?
Islam always promotes modesty, and the mosque of the Prophet ﷺ maintained that standard without physical barriers. The women entered and exited separately, and they had their own space behind the men in prayer. There was mutual respect, and etiquette was observed.
Sahl ibn Saʿd (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“People used to offer the prayer with the Prophet ﷺ with their waist-sheets tied round their necks because of the shortness of the sheets, and the women were ordered not to lift their heads till the men had sat straight.”
— [Bukhari]
This shows that even when there was a possibility that parts of a man’s body might accidentally become exposed during sujood, because they lacked proper undergarments, the Prophet ﷺ still did not erect a barrier. Instead, he taught the women to wait a moment before rising from prostration.
This small detail says a lot. If a situation like that didn’t require a wall, then the norm was clearly no barrier, with mutual care, modesty, and etiquette observed.
So why do we use partitions today?
In many mosques today, we do see curtains or separate rooms for women. And that’s okay if it’s something the women themselves request for greater comfort or to have more freedom to adjust their hijab, move around with ease, or bring children without being noticed. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s an optional arrangement, not an obligation.
But when barriers are erected out of the belief that they are religiously required, or when they create hardship, division, or a sense of exclusion, we need to reconsider. The Prophet ﷺ warned against excessiveness in religion. He said:
“Those who go to extremes are doomed.”
[Muslim]
Excessiveness can make things harder for people. It can make mosques feel unwelcoming. And it may even push people away from the very places meant to bring hearts closer to Allah.
What should we do as communities?
We should focus more on good etiquette and respectful conduct in our mosques, rather than on walls and curtains. If everyone follows Islamic manners, lowering the gaze, dressing modestly, avoiding unnecessary interaction, then there is no need for a barrier.
If space is limited, or if women prefer to be in the same prayer hall with the men (as was the practice in the Prophet’s ﷺ time), that should be respected. And if women ask for separation for their own comfort, that too should be accommodated with wisdom and understanding.
Shaykh Haytham Tamim 2nd August 2025