Question (Q-31)
Should women pray their Salāh exactly the same way as men or is there a difference?
Answer
Salāh is undoubtedly the most important act of worship. The method for women is different from men in certain aspects.
إن المرأة تخالف الرجل في عشر خصال
“The Salāh of a woman is different to that of a man in ten 1 things.” (Al Bahr Ar Rāiq, Volume 1, Page 561)
- In Takbīr At Tahrīmah (The Opening Takbīr) a woman should lift her hands to the shoulders;
- Whilst standing, a woman should place her right hand above her left hand just beneath her breasts;
- When bowing down in Rukū’, a woman should place her hands on her thighs so that her fingertips reach her knees;
- A woman should not spread her arms out whilst prostrating. Instead, she should keep them close to her sides;
- A woman should sit in Tashahhud with her left foot pointing towards the right, and she should place her bottom on the ground;
- When a woman bows down in Rukū’, she should not spread her fingers out;
- When prostrating (performing Sajdah), her stomach should be touching her thighs;
- Women cannot lead men in Jamā’ah (congregation);
- It is Makrūh (disliked) for women to conduct Jamā’ah (congregation) amongst themselves;
- If the females do conduct Jamā’ah despite it being Makrūh (disliked) then the female Imām should stand in the middle of the first row, not ahead of everyone else (like a male Imām).
- Women should not press the toes of both feet on the ground;
- It is not preferable (Mustahab) for women to perform Fajr closer to the time of Sunrise when the sky is brighter.
- In Jahrī Prayers i.e. Fajr, Maghrib and ‘Ishā in which the Holy Qur’ān is recited aloud, it is not Mustahab (preferable) for them to recite loudly.
عن سلمة الامة کالرجل في رفع اليد و کالحرة في الرکوع و السجود والقعود
“Sayyidatuna Salamah (رضي الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰعنها) reports that a slave girl should raise her hands in Takbir like a man, but she should perform Rukū’ (Bowing), Sujūd (Prostrations) and Qu’ūd (Sitting Positions) like a free woman.” (Al-Binayah Imām ‘Aini, Volume 2, Page 264)
أنه عليه الصلاة والسلام مر علي امرأتين تصليان فقال إذا سجدتما فضما بعض اللحم إلي الأرض فإن المرأة ليست في ذالک کالرجل – رواه أبوداؤد في مراسيله
“The Holy Prophet (صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالىٰ عَلَيْهِ وَ اٰلِه وَ سَلَّمَ) passed by two women who were performing Salāh. He (صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالىٰ عَلَيْهِ وَ اٰلِه وَ سَلَّمَ) said when you both perform Sajdah, keep your bodies pressed to the ground because a woman is not like a man in relation to the performance of Sajdah” (Al Bahr Ar Rāiq, Volume 1, Page 561)
Al Imām Al Baihaqī narrates the following Hadīth which he attributed to the Messenger of Allah (صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالىٰ عَلَيْهِ وَ اٰلِه وَ سَلَّمَ),
إذا سجدت المرأة الصقت بطنها بفخذها کاستر ما يکون لها
“When a woman performs Sajdah, she should make her stomach touch her thighs because there is more concealment (Sitr) in this for her.”
Al ‘Allāmah Abdul Hayy Lakhnavī (رحمه الله) discussed this issue in detail in his famous book As Si’āyah Sharh ul Wiqāyah. (Marginal notes on the book Sharh ul Wiqāyah)
عن ابن عمر رضي اللّٰه تعاليٰ عنهما أنه سئل کيف کانت النساء يصلين علي عهد رسول اللّٰه صلي اللّٰه تعاليٰ عليه وسلم قال کن يتربعن ثم أمر أن تحتفزن و کذا عن علي رضي اللّٰه تعاليٰ عنه
“Sayyidunā Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) was asked how women used to pray in the time of the Holy Prophet (صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالىٰ عَلَيْهِ وَ اٰلِه وَ سَلَّمَ)? He replied that they used to sit with their legs crossed but then they were told to sit with their bodies close together.” (Musnad Al Imām Al A’dham)
In fact, Jurists have emphasised it is more important for women to cover and conceal themselves in Salāh than to perform Qa’dah (sitting) in the generic Sunnah way,
مراعاة فرض الستر أولي من مراعاة سنة القعدة و قد حکي بعضهم علي هذا الإجماع
(التعليق المجلى على منية المصلى)
“Taking into consideration the essentiality of covering the body is more important than considering the Sunnah method of Qa’dah (sitting). Some have narrated that there is consensus in this regard.” (At Ta’līq Al Mujallī ‘alā Munyat il Musallī)
Allah (تعالى) Knows Best.
Written by Muftī Shamsulhudā Khān Misbāhī (Allah preserve him)
