In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Women Leading Prayers

by Irshad Mahmood - Director, Siraat-al-Mustaqeem Dawah Centre

Both Men and Women can enjoin or forbid according to the Quraan:

The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise, (Al_Quraan_009:071).

Types of Prayers:

There are several types of Prayer in Islaam. Remember, any act of obeying Allah is a Prayer. BUT here I would like to mention a few of them regarding Leading Prayers, which includes, Congregational DUAA, Congregational Quraan Recitation, Congregational Islaamic Lectures according to the Quraan and Leading Congregational Salaat.

Women can Lead any types of Prayer EXCEPT Mixed Congregation Salaat:

There is no harm in Women leading Congregational Duaa, Congregational Quraan Recitation, Congregational Islaamic Lecture according to the Quraan.

The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise,  (Al_Quraan_009:071).

Our Salaat is a very special and very different kind of Prayers. In Salaat we have to bow down (Rukooh) and Prostrate (Sijda). Not a single Modest Woman will feel comfortable to bow down (Rukooh) and Prostrate (Sijda) in front of Men whom are strangers to her. Also many men will lose concentration in prayers towards Allah. So by separating Women from mingling among men during Congregational Salaat, and offering Salaat in the last rows or in a separate room, Allah has protected our Women from being un-comfortable and also protected our men from losing concentration in prayers towards Allah.

Women are allowed to lead the Prayer when the congregation is only for women.

Women are not Inferior in Islaam:

Just because women are not allowed to lead Congregational Salaat does not mean that our women are inferior to our men. Also, because no Women were Prophets or Messengers, does not mean that they are inferior. We forget that Our Women gave birth to many of these Prophets and Messengers.

Women are Equal to Men in Islaam:

There are many examples in the Quraan that Women are equal to Men, below is only one of them:

And whoever does good deeds whether male or female and he (or she) is a believer-- these shall enter the garden, and they shall not be dealt with a jot unjustly, (Al_Quraan_004:124).

Leader of the House are Men: Women should never ever think to lead the Mix Congregational Prayer:

There are two main reasons why men are Leader of the house. One Allah made men Leader over women, second men spends the money to provide sustain to women.

Men are the Leader (Manager, Maintainers, Protectors, Responsible, Taking Care) of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and (also) because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great, (Al_Quraan_004.034).

And do not covet that by which Allah has made some of you excel others; men shall have the benefit of what they earn and women shall have the benefit of what they earn; and ask Allah of His grace; surely Allah knows all things, (Al_Quraan_004.032).