Fatwa by: Shaykh Muhammad bin Salih al-Uthaymeen (حفظه الله)
Question:
Is it permissible for women to go out and pray the rain prayer (Ṣalāt al-Istisqāʾ) behind men?
Answer:
Yes, it is permissible for women to go out for Ṣalāt al-Istisqāʾ, but they should remain behind the men. The farther they are from the men, the better. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The best rows for women are the last, and the worst are the first.”
(Narrated by Muslim and Abū Dāwūd)
It is also established from the Prophet ﷺ that he commanded women to go out for the Eid prayer to partake in the blessings and the supplications of the Muslims. Therefore, if a woman wishes to go out for Ṣalāt al-Istisqāʾ to share in the Muslims’ supplications and to seek blessings, there is no harm in doing so, provided she is properly covered.
It is also important to highlight that when women attend congregational prayers in the mosque, some of them may pray alone at the back of the rows. This is contrary to the Sunnah because the Prophet ﷺ’s statement, “The best rows for women are the last,” shows that women should also form rows. The Prophet ﷺ also said:
“There is no prayer for the one who prays alone behind the row.”
(Narrated by Aḥmad and Ibn Mājah)
And Allah knows best.
Question:
Is it permissible for women to go out and pray the rain prayer (Ṣalāt al-Istisqāʾ) behind men?
Answer:
Yes, it is permissible for women to go out for Ṣalāt al-Istisqāʾ, but they should remain behind the men. The farther they are from the men, the better. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The best rows for women are the last, and the worst are the first.”
(Narrated by Muslim and Abū Dāwūd)
It is also established from the Prophet ﷺ that he commanded women to go out for the Eid prayer to partake in the blessings and the supplications of the Muslims. Therefore, if a woman wishes to go out for Ṣalāt al-Istisqāʾ to share in the Muslims’ supplications and to seek blessings, there is no harm in doing so, provided she is properly covered.
It is also important to highlight that when women attend congregational prayers in the mosque, some of them may pray alone at the back of the rows. This is contrary to the Sunnah because the Prophet ﷺ’s statement, “The best rows for women are the last,” shows that women should also form rows. The Prophet ﷺ also said:
“There is no prayer for the one who prays alone behind the row.”
(Narrated by Aḥmad and Ibn Mājah)
And Allah knows best.
