Is it permissible for a woman to lead the prayer, what is the evidence, and what is the ruling if she prays with a group of women?
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The questioner : Is it permissible for a woman to lead the prayer, what is the evidence, and what is the ruling if she prays with a group of women?
The Shaykh : Yes, a woman leading women in prayer is permissible and there is no harm in it. What is forbidden is for her to lead men, because a woman cannot be an imam for men. Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, and the imam is a protector and maintainer over those behind him, so she cannot be an imam for men. However, with women, yes, she can be an imam. The scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) differed on whether congregational prayer is recommended for women who are separate from men, or whether it is not recommended; there are two opinions on this issue. But if women pray in congregation, it is obligatory for them to form rows just as men do. It is not permissible for a woman to pray behind the row of women alone if she has a place in the row. They are required to stand close together and straighten the rows, and to complete the first row, then the next, exactly like men. As for a woman alone with men, she forms a row by herself, because there is no place for a woman in the row of men. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : Yes, a woman leading women in prayer is permissible and there is no harm in it. What is forbidden is for her to lead men, because a woman cannot be an imam for men. Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, and the imam is a protector and maintainer over those behind him, so she cannot be an imam for men. However, with women, yes, she can be an imam. The scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) differed on whether congregational prayer is recommended for women who are separate from men, or whether it is not recommended; there are two opinions on this issue. But if women pray in congregation, it is obligatory for them to form rows just as men do. It is not permissible for a woman to pray behind the row of women alone if she has a place in the row. They are required to stand close together and straighten the rows, and to complete the first row, then the next, exactly like men. As for a woman alone with men, she forms a row by herself, because there is no place for a woman in the row of men. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.