What does a woman recite in her prayer?

Question:
Your Eminence, this questioner is Umm Abdul-Rahman from al-Qawarah. She says: In a woman’s prayer when she is alone, does she recite al-Fatihah and whatever is easy of the Qur'an in the first two rak'ahs, and after the first tashahhud, does she recite al-Fatihah only, or what does she do?

Answer:
Yes, just like a man. It is a recommended practice (sunnah) in the first and second rak'ahs to recite something additional along with al-Fatihah. As for al-Fatihah, it is a pillar, and al-Fatihah is necessary. However, she recites something additional along with al-Fatihah, whatever is easy of the Qur'an.
As for the third and fourth rak'ahs of Zuhr and 'Asr, the third rak'ah of Maghrib, and the third and fourth rak'ahs of 'Isha', al-Fatihah is sufficient. If she recites something additional along with al-Fatihah, there is nothing wrong with it, but leaving off the recitation is better. Al-Fatihah is sufficient in the third and fourth rak'ahs, except in Zuhr, where if one recites the additional portion, there is no blame on him; because it is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) what indicates doing so, but it happens sometimes. And it is established in the two Sahihs from the hadith of Abu Qatadah: "That the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would restrict himself to al-Fatihah in the third and fourth rak'ahs of Zuhr and 'Asr."

The presenter: May Allah reward you.