✦ Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
❝ صلوا كما رأيتموني أصلي ❞
❝ Pray as you have seen me praying. ❞
(Bukhari: 136)
✦ Explanation
In the light of this noble Hadith, the manner in which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed the prayer is obligatory for all Muslims—whether men or women—to follow without exception.
The Prophet ﷺ presented a practical model for prayer and did not specify any distinction in posture, form, or movements between men and women.
This means that every man and every woman must adopt the same method, the same style, and perform the same actions and supplications that the Prophet ﷺ taught.
✦ Refutation of Fabricated Differences
Some individuals claim:
❖ Women should raise their hands only up to the shoulders, while men should raise them to the ears.
❖ Women should place their hands on the chest, while men should place them below the navel.
❖ Women should keep their bodies compact during prostration, while men should spread theirs.
☞ All these distinctions and divisions are interferences in religious teachings and are in contradiction to the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
✦ One Unified Method of Prayer
From the opening Takbir (Takbir al-Tahrimah) to saying "As-Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah" at the end:
➤ The structure and appearance of the prayer for both women and men is identical.
There is no differentiation in any component of the prayer:
① Qiyam (Standing)
② Ruku‘ (Bowing)
③ Qawmah (Standing after bowing)
④ Sujud (Prostration)
⑤ Jalsah al-Istirahah (Sitting between two prostrations)
⑥ Qa‘dah (Final sitting in Tashahhud)
➤ The supplications recited at each position are also the same for men and women.
✦ Conclusion
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not mention any difference in the method of performing Salah between men and women.
Therefore, according to the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, both men and women should adopt the same method of performing Salah.
