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Gate No. 39 - Bab al-Nisa (Women's Gate)

Gate No. 39 - Bab al-Nisa (Women's Gate) represents the special entrance dedicated to the female congregation, located on the eastern facade of the Prophet's Mosque. Narrations about the existence of a gate for women in the Prophet's Mosque during the time of the Prophet indicate that this tradition is rooted in a deep historical context.

Diğer

Gate No. 39 - Bab al-Nisa (Women's Gate)

Location

Medina, Saudi Arabia

Map

History

Bab al-Nisa, one of the gates of the Prophet's Mosque, has historically been located on the eastern or northern facade of the mosque. The special entrance for women is a concrete reflection of the Prophet's sensitivity regarding the separation of male and female congregations in the Prophet's Mosque. It is reported that during the time of Umar, one of the gates of the Prophet's Mosque was allocated for women. The Caliph took measures to ensure that men and women did not mix, especially during crowded times like Friday prayers. With the recent expansions carried out during the Saudi era, the gates of the Prophet's Mosque have been renumbered and renamed. Gate No. 39 is marked as Bab al-Nisa in this system. Today, it is observed that this gate is kept open only for women at certain times amidst the heavy flow of large pilgrimage groups. [Source: "Prophet's Mosque", TDV Islamic Encyclopedia, https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/mescid-i-nebevi]

Importance and Narrations

The Prophet said: "Do not prevent women from going to the mosque; their homes are better for them, but they may go out." [Source: Abu Dawood, "Salat", 53; Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad, II, 76]