The Official Website of the Office of His Eminence Al-Sayyid Ali Al-Husseini Al-Sistani

Question & Answer » Search (Mosque)

11 Question: A believer residing in Europe, America and other similar countries feels estranged from the religious environment in which he was born and raised. Neither does he hear the voice of the Qur'an [recited from mosques] nor the sound of the adhan coming [from the minarets]; and there are no holy shrines, and their spiritual atmosphere, that he can visit. Is leaving such an Islamic environment of his country and its positive aspects considered "loss of faith"?
Answer: This is not the loss of faith that would make residing in a non-Muslim country haram for that person. However, staying away from such a religious environment may, with the passage of time, weaken the religious resolve of the immigrant to an extent that he may consider negligence of wajib deeds and committing of sins as insignificant. If a person has this fear that he might lose the faith in this manner, then it is not permissible for him to take residence in that country.
Migration to non-Muslim Countries
12 Question: Over the past thirty years, we have been placing candles in our local mosque as a sign of grief and lamentation. Can we give lamps to the mosque instead of burning candles?
Answer: There is no problem in it.
Azadari (Lamentation)
13 Question: Which is better for a woman, performing prayers in a congregation or performing prayers individually?
Answer: It is recommended for women to attend congregational prayers as evidenced by an authentic tradition from the Commander of the Faithful, Ali (AS) that women used to attend congregational prayers but they were ordered to linger their sajda (prostration) because some men were wearing tight garments but there is another authentic tradition which says that a woman's prayer at home is more virtuous than her prayer in a mosque. However, the conclusion that can be drawn from both traditions is that a woman's prayer at a place where she is not seen by non-mahram men (strangers) is more virtuous. If she can perform her prayers in a mosque without being seen by strangers, the prayer in a mosque would be more virtuous in that case.
Congregational Prayers
14 Question: For the female lady who is on her monthly period – Haydh (or similar situation), to what extent can they get close to the shrine of the Imams (peace be upon them)?
Answer: Sitting in the courtyards and outer parts of the building of the shrine of the infallible Imams which are not designated as a mosque (Masjid) is permissible. However in the building in which the shrine of the infallible Imam (as) is located, based on obligatory precaution, she is not allowed to sit there but she is allowed to enter from a door and exit from another.
Haydh - Menstruation / Monthly Period
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