Bismillaah
Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatuhlahi Wabrakatuh!
It has come to me that soem from my community got together in the local masjid and commited much Gheebah and slander about me. They then decided to go to the Imam and request that I no longer be allowed in the Masjid. The Imam then went to my husband and said I am not allowed there. What is the ruling on this? Is it allowed to boycott me from the masjid and prevent me from going there? I am a caller to Islam and my minhaj is that of Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jummah. Thank You for your time. May Allah bless you and reward you.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Allaah forbade backbiting and gave the person who backbites the worst similitude; Allaah Says (what means): {And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allaah; indeed, Allaah is accepting of repentance and Merciful.}[Quran 49:12]

However, backbiting may be permitted for a religious benefit, like when complaining about injustice and asking for advice (about a person); for more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 81748.

Therefore, if these people had backbitten you without any reason that makes backbiting lawful, then they had committed a forbidden act. However, if there is any reason that allows backbiting, then they are not sinful.

As regards preventing you from entering the mosque, then in principle it is not permissible to prevent a Muslim from entering the mosque. However, if harm results from letting a person enter the mosque, like someone who has a bad smell, or a person who spoils the prayer of the people or their religion and creed, then it becomes permissible to prevent him/her.

Hence, if they prevent you from entering the mosque without any sound reason, then this is not permissible and this is an injustice to you.

Finally, it should be mentioned that a woman’s prayer in her home is better for her than praying in the mosque. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 92531.

Allaah Knows best.