The Ruling on Friday Prayer and Congregational Prayer for Women

Your Eminence! Some matters have come up that we would like to inquire about, if you would be so kind, so that there is no anticipated issue. Regarding Friday prayer and the woman, Your Eminence, if she prays it in her house?
Answer: Friday prayer is not obligatory for the woman; rather, it is for the men. Likewise, congregational prayer is not obligatory for the woman; rather, it is for the men. The recommended practice for the woman is to pray in her house, whether it is Friday or otherwise. Praying in her house is better for her. However, if she prays with the people, the Friday prayer suffices for her in place of the midday prayer, provided she is covered, modest, and wearing the hijab, and she goes out without perfume. There is no harm in this for her, in order to hear the benefit, to hear the sermon, and to hear the admonitions. However, she must be careful to maintain the hijab and covering, and to stay away from fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). She should be on her way without perfume, going out without perfume, covered and wearing the hijab, and praying with the people, as some women in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). But he said: meaning: without a pleasant scent; so that she does not cause fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) for the people. And they should not adorn themselves when going out; so that they do not cause fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) for the people either. And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: But if she prays with the congregation, with covering, hijab, care, and staying away from the causes of evil, and from pleasant perfume, there is no harm in that. Likewise, for the remaining times: the midday, afternoon, sunset, night, and dawn prayers, if she prays with the people under this condition, with the condition of caring for covering and hijab and not using perfume, there is no harm in that. But despite all this, her house is better for her and further from fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). And success is from Allah.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good. So, do I understand from what you have graciously said, Your Eminence, that the woman has no Friday prayer upon her?
The Shaykh: She has no Friday prayer upon her; she prays it in her house. But if she prays Friday with the people, it suffices for her and is enough for her, like the sick person who has no Friday prayer upon him, and yet if he prays with the people, the Friday prayer suffices for him. And like the slave who has no Friday prayer upon him, and if he prays with the people, the Friday prayer suffices for him. Yes.
Likewise, the traveler, if he prays Friday with the people, it suffices for him in place of the midday prayer. He has no Friday prayer upon him as a traveler. If he passes through a town while traveling and prays Friday with them, it suffices for him in place of the midday prayer. Yes.
The presenter: Our sister, Your Eminence, draws attention in the introduction of her letter where she says: "We did not find anyone to inform us and guide us to the truth." It seems to me that Your Eminence has a stance on this. An entire town where there is no one to inform its people about any of the matters of their religion. Your Eminence must say something?
The Shaykh: This is according to her knowledge. She said it according to... And what we believe is that there are in Baghdad among the righteous and among the students of knowledge those who know this, and who can guide the people to the lawful prayer, the lawful ablution, and other such matters. We believe that in Baghdad, if Allah wills, there are among the righteous those who do this. But there was not around her, in her neighborhood and her district, anyone who taught her this. This is what is presumed of her, and what is believed is that she means those around her in her district and neighborhood, and those who are in contact with her. Yes.