Praise be to Allah, and may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family and his companions.
Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
As to what follows:
With regards to answering your question we say, success is by Allah Almighty.
Firstly: being hast in characterizing actions as bid’ah is not part of the true scholars’ attributes, not only that but it is an attribute of the people of bid’ah hence it is necessary to take your time before giving a ruling, especially when the issue in question is supported by the sunnah whereby caution should be taken to make sure that men are separated from women. This is supported by the Prophet’s saying:
“The best of the men's rows (in Salat) is the first row and the worst is the last; but the best of the woman's row is the last and the worst of their rows is the first.” [Muslim]
The Prophet (peace be on him) also forbade that men leave (the masjid) before women had left. It well known that life was simple during the time of the companions, it was not possible for them to have what have nowadays, so putting a partition between men and women is not bid’ah but is a way of attaining the Prophet’s (peace be on him) objective of keeping away men from women.
A Muslim, especially a student of knowledge should aim to understand the word of Allah and His Messenger (peace be on him), the objectives of shari’ah and the objectives of rulings because this will protect him from falling into errors like these.
May Allah facilitate your affairs and grant you understanding in religion.
And Allah knows best.
Your brother,
Dr. Khalid al-Muslih
29 / 1 / 1429 AH
