Argument over whether to keep the partition between men and women in the mosque
Question

                In one of the mosques there is a partition between men and women. A dispute has arisen as to how important this partition is. Some think that there is no need for it, because at the time of the Messenger 
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) there was no partition; others insist on having it. The resulting argument may lead those who think there should be no partition to stop praying in the mosque, despite the fact that removing the partition could lead to some degree of mixing or looking at the opposite sex when leaving the mosque, because some of the men are not strongly committed in their religion. Should we insist on keeping the partition even though some people may stop praying in the mosque, or should we remove it
although this may lead to people looking at the opposite sex?
Praise be to Allah.Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen answered this question as
    follows:
The partition should stay. The fact that there was no partition at the
    time of the Prophet 
 (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was either because
    there was no need for it or because there was a reason why they could not have a
    partition. With regard to the former, the Sahaabah, may Allaah be pleased with them, had
    such strong faith in Allaah that they would not look at women; with regard to the latter,
    the financial situation of the Sahaabah, as we know, especially before the conquests, was
    one of hardship, and they could not afford to put a partition between themselves and the
    women. Having understood this, we should next look at which is further removed from
    fitnah, having a partition or not having it? Everyone will agree that having the partition
    is less likely to cause fitnah. If that is the case, then whatever is less likely to cause
    fitnah is what should be done. If you say, “If we insist on keeping it, those who
    want to remove it will stay away from the mosque,” our response is that if they stay
    away, they are doing wrong. They have no excuse for failing to pray in jamaa’ah
    because of this partition being there. Having the partition there is not a sin such that
    they could say, “We are not coming to be witnesses to sin.” If they stay away,
    they are committing sin by failing to attend prayers in congregation.