Constructing a Musalla for women.

Q: In recent years, benevolent people have begun building Musallas (places for Prayer) (Part No. 6; Page No. 266) annexed to the Masjids (Mosques) and surrounded by one fence. Sometimes they are three or four meters away from the Masjids. People offer all the Salahs (Prayers) in these Musallas except for Jumu`ah (Friday) Prayer as the number of people who attend the Jumu`ah Prayer is greater. In these Musallas, women offer Tarawih (special supererogatory night Prayer in Ramadan), Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer, and `Isha' (Night) Prayer and attend lectures. They listen to the sheikhs over the loudspeakers. Is it permissible for women to offer congregational Salah in these Musallas, even though the Imam is in the Masjid and the women can only hear him over loudspeakers, but cannot see him or any of those praying behind him? We would appreciate your answer, may Allah guide you!

A: The Salah of women behind the Imam is valid, if the Musalla is inside the Masjid and they can hear his voice when he pronounces Takbirat-ul-Ihram (saying: "Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]" upon starting Prayer) even if they cannot see him or the followers. However, if the Musalla is not inside or is separated from the Masjid by a passageway or the like, it is not permissible for them to follow the Imam.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.