Q 1:
It is customary that when a woman ends the state of mourning, i.e., four months and ten days after her husband's death, she comes out after Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer and goes to the Masjid (mosque) accompanied by another woman to perform two Rak`ahs (unit of Prayer) with her and supplicate to Allah.
During that time, there are no men in the Masjid. Is her going there Haram (prohibited) for her and the woman who goes with her?
A: If the woman whose husband dies goes to the Masjid after her waiting period is over accompanied (Part No. 20; Page No. 439) by another woman after the Maghrib Prayer to perform two Rak`ah believing that it is an act of Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet), then this is Bid`ah (innovation in religion) and should not be done. This is impermissible, because neither the Prophet (peace be upon him) nor the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) have been reported to have done anything that indicates that. Furthermore, it has been narrated in the authentic Hadith reported on the authority of
`Aishah (may Allah be pleased upon her) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
Whoever introduces into this affair of ours something that is not of it, is to be rejected.
May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.