Can Women Pray in Congregation? Evidence and Guidelines

Understanding Women’s Congregational Prayer in Islam

Question: If there are multiple women present and they want to perform Salah (prayer) in congregation, is there any evidence for this?

Answer: Firstly, women are not required to give the Adhan (call to prayer) or Iqamah (second call to prayer), nor is it obligatory for them to pray in congregation.

Secondly, if women wish to pray in congregation, there is no harm in it. Women can pray in congregation, and the evidence for this is found in the Hadith of Abu Dawood, where Umm Waraqah (RA) led the prayer for women. The Hadith narrated by Umm Waraqah bint Abdullah bin Harith (RA) states:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to visit her at her house, and he appointed a Mu’adhdhin (caller to prayer) for her who would call the Adhan, and he instructed her to lead the people of her household in prayer.”

This Hadith indicates that a woman can lead other women in prayer. However, they do not need to give the Iqamah, so they will pray without it, and the woman leading the prayer will stand in the middle of the row.

 Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi Hafizahullah

 ❪Jeddah Dawah Center, Hayy Al-Salamah – Saudi Arabia❫