Is it valid for a woman to lead a man in prayer in her home, based on the hadith of Umm Warakah bint Nawfal?

Question : The best way for a woman to lead a man in prayer in her home is that some scholars have permitted this and cited as evidence the hadith of Abu Murrah Nawfal, in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) allowed her to appoint a mu'adhdhin, and her mu'adhdhin was an old man. Do you agree with this?

Answer : No, that is not the case. We say first that this hadith needs to be verified as authentic above all else. If it is authentic, there may be a dire necessity involved if this old man who is her mu'adhdhin prays with her, as appears to be the case; in that scenario, it would be a dire necessity. Otherwise, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "A nation will not succeed if they place a woman in charge of their affairs."