Bismillahi Al-Rahmani Al-Rahim
Menstruating Women and the Musalla (2)
Q
Does the Hanbali madhab distinguish b/t a masjid and an "Islamic
center?" For example, as in the West when the Islamic center is gov'd and
owned by a board or even an individual, and not administered by a ministry
of awqaf?
A
Someone in the state of major ritual impurity or a woman who is
menstruating or during nifas may not stay in a mosque or the
designated place outside of the city where `Eid is prayed. From what I have
seen, an area that is used for prayer must also be made into an
endowment--declared the property of Allah Most High--in order for the same
rulings to apply. Whether or not the property in question is being looked
after by a board of trustees or an appointed individual is another issue.
The prime issue is whether or not the property is a house of Allah. Anyone
who wishes to know more about mosques can turn to the book of endowments
(kitab al-awqaf).
In the West many of the places we use for prayer are rented, so they
cannot become endowments, and because of this those places are not
technically considered mosques.
And Allah knows best.
wa al-salamu `alaykum
--musa