In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Bestower of Mercy.
In the vision of Ikhlaas Trust, the Masjid Ibn Taymiyyah (Islamabad) is more than a building: it is intended as a centre of learning, worship, and community, in both English and Urdu, for all Muslims, male and female, young and old. A critical component of this vision is the provision of a space for women: for worship, study, and gathering among themselves. The Qur’ān itself emphasises the equal spiritual responsibility of men and women:
“Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so – for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” (Surah al-Ahzab 33:35
This verse shows that women’s access to worship and knowledge is integral to their growth in imān, not secondary.
First, a woman’s access to knowledge and masjid facilities reinforces engagement with the Sunni community. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from going to the mosque of Allah.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 442). Providing a segregated, clean, dignified, comfortable area within Masjid Ibn Taymiyyah fulfils our responsibility to sisters, ensuring that women can attend prayers, Qur’ān classes, and lectures without difficulty.
Second, such space enables knowledge transmission. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever takes a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2699). By having dedicated rooms and access to a library, women can study Qur’ān, Hadeeth, fiqh, tajwīd, tafsīr, and Arabic. This benefits not only their personal growth but also their families and the broader ummah.
Third, it fosters community and mutual support. Allah reminds us: “The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those – Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” (Surah At-Tawbah 9:71)
Safe, welcoming meeting spaces allow women to strengthen bonds, share experiences, and support one another in Islam and sisterhood.
In summary, providing women their own place in Masjid Ibn Taymiyyah is not simply an architectural choice — it is rooted in Qur’ān and Sunnah. It ensures women’s right to worship, learn, and participate in our community, which is crucial for families migrating from the West to Pakistan, thereby enriching the family. Ensuring women have their own space is not merely a convenience—it is central to fulfilling the Masjid’s mission: spreading beneficial knowledge, worshipping properly, building community and strengthening the Ummah. Such dedicated provision honours women’s rights in Islam, facilitates their learning, nurtures their spiritual life, and enriches the broader community in Islamabad, and eventually throughout Pakistan.
May Allah aid this project.
Donate Directly
Account Name: Al Ikhlaas Trust
Bank: Meezan Bank
Branch: GT Road, Morgah More, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Branch code: 0825
Account no: 0103987805
IBAN: PK07MEZN0008250103987805
Swift: MEZNPKKA
Registered Office: Al-Ikhlaas Trust, 1A, Bazar No. 4, Street No. 39, G 13-2, Islamabad, Pakistan.
In Person: Maktabah Salafiyyah, Islamabad:
Our Services: In-store shopping: books (English, Urdu and Arabic), jilbābs, thawbs, organic honey, herbal teas―have a chat, ask questions or just browse the library. Safe and friendly atmosphere: families and ladies welcome.
Located: Maktabah Salafiyyah, 1A, Bazar No. 4, Street No. 39, G 13-2, Islamabad, Pakistan.
The Salafi Bookstore, Birmingham, UK:
Send your donation to the Salafi Bookstore, and they will pass it to Al-Ikhlaas Trust in Pakistan. Please make sure you add “Ikhlaas” as a reference to every donation intended for us. You can donate online at salafibookstore.com/ikhlaas
Or by visiting the Bookstore in Birmingham: The Salafi Bookstore, 472 Coventry Road, Small Heath, Birmingham, B10 0UG — Tel: 0121 773 0033