Ladies following the Imaam in Salaah

Question:-

What is the ruling regarding ladies following a male Imaam in Salaah in the ladies’ section of the Masjid, or at home?

Answer:-

It is recorded in the Hadith Sharif that a female should perform her Salaah in her bedroom. This is better than her performing Salaah in any other portion of the house as there is more Purdah in the bedroom.

وعن ام سلمة رَضِي الله عَنْهَا قَالَت قَالَ رَسُول الله صلى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسلم صَلَاة الْمَرْأَة فِي بَيتهَا خير من صلَاتهَا فِي حُجْرَتهَا وصلاتها فِي حُجْرَتهَا خير من صلَاتهَا فِي دارها وصلاتها فِي دارها خير من صلَاتهَا فِي مَسْجِد قَومهَا رَوَاهُ الطَّبَرَانِيّ فِي الْأَوْسَط بِإِسْنَاد جيد

It is recorded in another narration that the Salaah of a woman which is most beloved to Allah Ta’ala, is the Salaah performed in the darkest portion of her room.

عن أبي الأحوص عنه عن النبي – صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – قال:”إنَّ أحبَّ صلاةِ المرأة إلى الله في أشد مكانٍ في بيتها ظلْمة”. (الترغيب والترهيب)

These narrations clearly indicate that a female should perform her Salaah at home. However, if she follows the Imaam in the ladies’ section of the Masjid (which is attached to the Masjid), then her Salaah will be valid, with the proviso that the Imaam makes Niyyat of leading the females in Salaah. If the Imaam does not make intention of leading the females in Salaah, or the ladies’ section is separate from the Masjid (to the extent that a car can pass between the Masjid and the ladies’ section), then her following the Imaam will not be valid.

ونية الرجل الإمامة شرط لصحة اقتداء النساء به (نور الايضاح – باب الامامة)

Men should be performing their Salaah in the Masjid hence, there is no need for them to perform their Fardh Salaah at home in Jamaat. Yes, if they are unable to attend the congregational Salaah for a valid reason (such as severe illness), and as a result they perform their Salaah with their Mahaarim females at home in Jamaat, then their Salaah will be in order.

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:-

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date:- 08 Dhul Qa’dah 1444 / 29 May 2023