Is it permissible to establish more than one congregational prayer in the same masjid at the same time? There is not microphone in the masjid of the university, so women cannot hear the imam; shall they establish another congregation with an imam from amongst them (the women)?.


Praise be to Allaah.

The basic principle is that it is not prescribed to have two
congregations in the mosque at the same time, because that is dividing the
Muslims and they will disturb one another. But if there is a reason for
that, such as the women not being able to hear the voice of the imam, then
there is nothing wrong with having a separate congregation for the women
with one of them leading them in prayer, when there is also a congregation
for the men. But that is subject to the condition that the two congregations
will not disturb one another. 

It is proven that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab and ‘Ali ibn Abi
Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with them) did that during Taraweeh prayers in
the mosque, when they appointed an imam for the men, and another for the
women. 

Al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in an essay
entitled Qiyaam Ramadaan: 

It is prescribed for the women to attend it – i.e., Taraaweeh
prayer – and it is permissible to appoint for them an imam of their own,
other than the imam of the men. It is proven that when’Umar told the people
to pray Taraweeh in congregation, he (may Allaah be pleased with him)
appointed Ubayy ibn Ka’b to lead the men and Sulaymaan ibn Abi Hathamah to
lead the women. 

It was narrated that ‘Arfajah al-Thaqafi said: ‘Ali ibn Abi
Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him) used to enjoin the people to pray
qiyaam (Taraweeh) during Ramadaan and he would appoint an imam for the men
and an imam for the women. He said: I was the imam for the women. 

I (al-Albaani) say: That is permissible, according to my
understanding, if the mosque is spacious, lest they disturb one another. End
quote. 

And Allaah knows best.