Fathwa, - The relevancy of rulings on menstruation and the reward for worship

Question:
I don't understand why women can't enter the masjid whilethey are
menstruating.I understand that during the Prophet's (SAW) time, there
wasn't proper protection. Today, there is proper protection in order
to ensure that one doesn't "leak". At my masjid, the women who can't
pray sit in a dark, cold corner, where the kids all talk and cry. I
don't see it as being fair, especially during the odd nights in
Ramadan. I would also like to engage in worship, make dua, read the
Qur'an, and listen to lectures....whyshould I not be blessedand not do
ibadah just because I'm on my period? There is no proper arrangement
inmy masjid for women to sit and listen, everywhere you go there are
kids screaming and crying except in the main prayer hall. Allah knows
my intention, and I am there to worship him on a night which could be
better than a thousandother nights. Please explain this to me.
Answer:
As-Salamu `alaykum:
There was protection even in the time of the Prophet, upon him peace,
and menstruatingwomen did not go around "leaking" whether at home or
outside it, so the Law that was good for them is good for us also.
Yes, you are right that it is not fair that women should sit in a
dark, cold corner or stuck with pesky tots day in and dayout but this
is irrespective of their physical state and the rulings pertaining
thereto. More importantly, one is blessed and doing `ibadaregardless
of one's physical state because worship is not founded upon the acts
of the body but upon intention as the Prophet said, upon him peace:
"Actions count only according to intention."
Therefore, your intention to worship Allah Most High is fulfilled
regardless of thestate of your body, and your reward may thus bejust
as great if not greater in the fact that you follow His guidelinesand
submit to His Decree as applies to your condition and your
responsibilities as a family caretaker, than it would be if you were
praying in the heart of the Ka`ba on Laylat al-Qadr without the least
attachment to the dunya.