Law of Doing Prayer with Non-Mahram

We often find many ikhwan and akhwat who do congregation prayer although they are not mahram. Although the intention is only to do congregation prayer and add prayer rewards become twenty sevenfold from doing prayer alone. But, there are some dalil of AL-Qur’an that explain about law of doing prayer with non mahram. Based those dalil, congregation prayer with non mahram women is not good.

From Ibn Abbas radhiyallahu ‘anhuma, the Prophet Muhammad shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

“Do not let a man and a woman in tandem, except she is companied by her mahram.” (Narrated by Bukhari 5233 and Muslim 1341)

Another hadith, from Umar radhiyallahu ‘anhu, the Messenger of Allah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

لَا يَخْلُوَنَّ رَجُلٌ بِامْرَأَةٍ إِلَّا كَانَ ثَالِثَهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ

“Do not let a man and a woman in tandem. If it happens, the third party is Satan.” (Narrated by Ahmad 177, Turmudzi 2165 and it is validated by Syuaib al-Arnauth)

See also :

• Law of hand shake in Islam
• Law of women take care of non mahram who is sick
• Law female leads prayer in Islam

The Law is Makruh

In a time, a man enters to the mosque with a woman together. Both of them want to do congregation prayer, but at that time, there is no one else in the mosque. May that man do congregation prayer with that woman who is not his mahram? Some people may be allowed, some people answer no, and others doubt. Yes, it must be recognized that some people have not known and understood about that matter.

The answer of Ulama about this question is not allowed and the law is makruh tahrim or same with haram when a man does congregation prayer with a woman who is not his mahram in tandem. That law is also applied when there is only one man who leads some women, then he must wait the arrival of other men who will follow to do congregation prayer. Except, there is his mahram between those women, such as his wife or his sister.

In Islam, although the goal is a worship. A man may not stay with a woman who is not his mahram in tandem. This matter is based on the prohibition of a man and a woman in tandem. It is meant that both of them is kept away from slanders, especially a lust slander.

Because of that, a man and a non mahram woman may do congregation prayer if there are two or more men or added people in the mosque. So they are not only in tandem. If the amount of men is not two and there is no one else in the mosque, then they should be better to do prayer alternately.

Of course, it is different with a husband who leads his wife or a brother who lead his sister, although they are only in tandem. If it happens, then it is okay because their status is mahram. [AdSense-B]

We should alerts that when we do congregation prayer with a cousin, a wife or husband of father’s brother or mother’s brother, brother or sister in law, husband’s uncle, son’s from husband and someone like that, because although they are our landline, but they are not included in our mahram. For that, we have to remember again whoever are called as our mahram.

There is a hadith that explain about this matter, it is narrated by ‘Uqbah bin ‘Amir radhiyallahu ‘anhu that the Messenger of Allah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said :

إياكم والدخول على النساء

“Be carefull with women.”

Then a person from Anshar people said.

“What do you  think about al-hamwu (sibling-in-law)?”

The Prophet Muhammad shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam answered,

الحمو الموت

“That sibling-in-law is death.” (Narrated by Bukhari; Muslim)

Al-hamwu is relatives from husband or wife, they are not mahram such as husband’s brother, husband’s uncle, children from husband’s brother or children from husband’s uncle. As for father, children, husband’s grandfather, they are still mahram from the husband. The wife can still do khalwat. Although in fact, they are including to al-hamwu.

The secretary general of Majelis Intelektual Ulama Muda Indonesia (MIUMI) Ustaz Bachtiar Natsir explains, Islam confirms that a man and a woman in tandem is haram, as it has been explained is the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam.

Ibn Abbas radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated, he heard the Prophet Muhammad shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said, “Do not a man and a woman in tandem except they are companied by a mahram, and do not a woman go except with her mahram.” Then, there is a man stood and said, “O Messenger of Allah, I am registered in this and that wars, but my wife will go to do hajj.” Then, he said, “Go hajj with your wife.” (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

See also : How to perform hajj step by step

Because of that, the conclusion from the law of doing prayer with non mahram are

1. A man is prohibited to lead a woman who is not his mahram.
2. Two men may do congregation prayer with a woman. On the condition, there is someone else in the mosque. So, they are not in tandem.
3. A man may be a leader for some women. On the condition, there is a mahram from that man between those women.
4. The most secure condition is when two or more men do congregation prayer with some women.
5. Beware of doing congregation prayer with relatives who are not our mahram.

Although it is heard a little problem, but this matter is often forgotten by Muslim. Especially those who have busyness in places that there are many interactions with the opposite sex, such as in the offices, campuses, schools, recreation places, restaurants, malls, and other places.

When the time of prayer arrives, we often forget about this law because we want to do congregation prayer. Indeed, this has a negative effect for our prayer that is our main worship. The intention of heart do worship, but sadly, if we remember that it is a haram thing. [AdSense-C]

That is why, as much as if you want to do congregation prayer, invite some women and men to follow prayer. If there has been a man who pray first and a woman want to do congregation prayer, then wait and make sure that there are other men who will do congregation prayer, too. Do not do prayer at that time.

The point is impressing to the prohibition of a man and a woman who is not his mahram in tandem, although this thing is meant to do a worship, such as prayers. We should take this thing and remember it. So, our worship can be done well without something that indeed it is prohibited by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.

See also : Benefits of praying in the mosque