Authored by: Sheikh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)
Allama Shams-ul-Haq Azimabadi (رحمه الله) writes:
"This Hadith proves that the leadership of women in prayer and their congregation is valid and established by the command of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Both Aisha (رضي الله عنها) and Umm Salama (رضي الله عنها) led women in obligatory and Taraweeh prayers."
[Awn al-Ma'bud, 2/211]
[Ibn Abi Shaybah, 2/89; Al-Hakim, 1/203]
[Ibn Abi Shaybah, 2/88]
Question:
Can a woman lead other women in prayer?Answer:
It is permissible for a woman to lead a congregation of other women in prayer. The method is that the woman leading the prayer should stand in the middle of the row with the other women. This is supported by the following explanation from prominent scholars:Allama Shams-ul-Haq Azimabadi (رحمه الله) writes:
"This Hadith proves that the leadership of women in prayer and their congregation is valid and established by the command of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Both Aisha (رضي الله عنها) and Umm Salama (رضي الله عنها) led women in obligatory and Taraweeh prayers."
[Awn al-Ma'bud, 2/211]
Evidence from Hadith:
- Narration of Aisha (رضي الله عنها):
[Ibn Abi Shaybah, 2/89; Al-Hakim, 1/203]
- Narration of Umm Salama (رضي الله عنها):
[Ibn Abi Shaybah, 2/88]
Conclusion from Hadith:
These Ahadith clearly establish that:- A woman can lead other women in prayer.
- The Imam (woman leading) should stand in the middle of the row.