@article{article_1609581, title={A Contextual Analysis of the Ḥadīth “The Most Virtuous Place of Worship for a Woman is the Most Secluded Corner of Her Home.”}, journal={Gaziantep Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi}, volume={24}, pages={1123–1147}, year={2025}, DOI={10.21547/jss.1609581}, author={Toprak Şahin, Ayşegül}, keywords={Hadis, Kadın, Mescit, Sosyo-Kültürel, Fitne}, abstract={This study examines the narrations transmitted in classical ḥadīth sources regarding women’s participation in congregational prayers at mosques, assesses their soundness, and contextually analyzes their socio-cultural reflections. It focuses particularly on the ḥadīth, “The most virtuous place of worship for a woman is the most secluded corner of her home.” An initial authenticity analysis of this ḥadīth and related narrations was conducted. Following this, the study delves into how women participated in mosques during the Prophet Muḥammad’s time, the era of the companions, and subsequent centuries, comparing and analyzing these periods in the matter will be addressed considering the approaches of classical Islamic scholars as well as researchers from the Turkish, Arab, and Western worlds. Using qualitative methods such as content analysis and document examination, the research evaluates the perspectives of classical Islamic scholars and contemporary researchers on narrations that either promote or restrict women’s mosque participation. The findings reveal that rulings on women’s visits to mosques have varied across different periods. During the Prophet Muḥammad’s time, women were encouraged to attend mosques without restrictions. However, during the companions’ era, their visits were limited due to inappropriate behavior exhibited by some women. Later, these restrictions were formalized as religious requirements by the jurisprudence schools. In conclusion, it can be stated that prohibiting women from mosques is not aligned with the Prophet Muḥammad’s tradition and such restrictions arose from socio-cultural factors rather than religious necessity. This research emphasizes how social conditions can shape the understanding and application of ḥadīth. Additionally, it offers a valuable comparison of contemporary and historical approaches to women’s mosque participation, providing insights for future research on this subject.}, number={3}, publisher={Gaziantep Üniversitesi}