Salam brother Joseph.
You know, now that I keep in mind the presence of water separate from the absence of water I start thinking a little different. Thanks for waking me up on that.
To be honest, when I read your discussions regarding women and men praying together, and realized that there might not be any verses that permits or prohibits men and women praying together, I was a little shocked. Knowing the Quran is fully detailed and nothing omitted from the book concerning religion, I thought to myself that here has to be something regarding this matter. I thought that it was a religious matter and could be disturbing to some. I was actually thinking about it for many many hours and went to sleep and woke up in the middle of the night then suddenly I remembered those verses 4:43 and 5:6. And thought I would write to you before I forget that night. I guess from the culture I am from it seemed wrong to me, to be praying by another women or it would maybe bug me for my wife to be praying my another man or between.
After my last response, I had a couple days to think about the situation, and did realize concerning verses 4:43 and 5:6 that I should be taking into account that at times there is water present and at times there is none.
And I had a somewhat feeling of what you were going to respond with and was excited to find out. And after reading it I agree with you.
But what was really amazing is that I also realized why such a topic would be silent in the Quran. Even matters that are silent from a Qurans perspective has much meaning as to why there silent at times. ( I learned that from you )
As the day went by, and I thought of both the verses. I went to a get a cup of coffee and while the lady at the cashier handed me the change we accidentally touched each others fingers. It could of been possible I accidentally lightly touched a lady walking by in a very crowded environment. I stopped off at home and gave my kids and wife a hug. possibly tomorrow I will give my mother and my sister one too. It did not seem like there was anything unpure about any of that.
oh your wrote:
"Are we suggesting that a woman is impure to touch? On what theological grounds from the Quran can such a position be warranted? Why is a man not impure to touch? The verses of ablution apply to both genders as a precursor to prayer. "I did not mean that, I just thought its obvious that if a man touches a women the women automatically touches the man also, so that they are both in need of ablution.
So I was implying both genders. But anyways thats not the case anymore.
Praying with my female family side by side would not disturb my prayer in anyway. But maybe praying side by side with a high school crush for example might just disturb it. It shouldn't but might.
Maybe at times father, mother, daughters and sons all pray together.
So it seems like its left up to either a single person or relatives/family or a group or community to choose on what they prefer. Making sure there co-operating with the decency of the Quran. Seems like the Quran is allowing people to make a choice to pray with close relatives and/or friends and/or believers in the manner that there intentions is praying to God alone.
Mary for example from the verse 3:43 "bow with those that bow down"
she could of prayed even alone behind or apart from those who were also praying, or side by side with her family or her father and brothers, and sisters if she had any. And could of chose to line up anywhere she wanted to. As you stated in another discussion that it "indicates participation".
Maybe a status of a man or women whether they are married or single could effect the decisions they make.
Sorry for making this a big deal, and spending more time than it should of on the topic. Its just before I heard of a mosque that used to do that and I looked at it like it was doing something wrong.
I guess if the intentions are right and the people are willing. Thats there choice and God knows best the intentions. And at the end of the day, there is options for everyone out there regarding the kinds of mosque to go. And regarding mixing at the hajj, seems to be in decency with the Quran.
Thank you brother Joseph. And always a pleasure to read your articles and always looking forward to reading new and old Facebook posts. Inshallah soon when I get facebook I can comment on your posts there as well.
Salamu Alikum