Abu Dawud

804. Commentary: Since, apart from the imam, there was only one man, he was made to stand alongside (the imam), and the two women were placed in a separate row, because under no circumstances can women stand with men in congregational prayer. In the previous hadith, those men were other than the imam, so both of them stood behind the imam, and the women stood behind them. One of the men was a boy, yet he was made to stand in the men's row. Thus, there is no need for a separate row for children, and one man and one boy together constitute a complete row, just as if there were two men. And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
(1)
يُكْنَسُ:
From "kanasa,"
to clean,
to sweep.
(2)
يُنْضَحُ:
From "nadaha,"
to wash.

Benefits and Issues:
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam used to live among his companions in a friendly and informal manner, without affectation or artificiality. He would sit on the mat commonly used in the house, and at the time of prayer, he would have it cleaned and would pray on it. This would be a voluntary (nafl) prayer; the obligatory (fard) prayers, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would lead in the mosque.

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: The row of women will be separate; they will not join the row of men or children.

Benefits and Issues:
➊
It has been stated earlier that if there are two followers, they should stand behind the imam.
But this ruling applies when both are men.
When there is one woman and one man as followers, the man should stand next to the imam.
He should not stand with the woman, even if she is a minor.
Similarly, if there are two men and one woman as followers, both men should stand behind the imam and the woman should stand alone behind them.

➋
It is not correct for a man to stand alone behind the row, whereas a woman may stand alone if there is no other woman to stand with her.

➌
Whether the woman is a mahram or a non-mahram, the ruling is the same.
She should not stand with the man.