Is it better for women to pray at home instead of going to the mosque?

Respected Sister,

The reward of congregational prayer for men is twenty seven times more than an individual prayer. Contrary to this, the more rewarding prayer of a woman is that which is most concealed and performed within the confines of her innermost living quarters.

‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud (radhiallahu ‘anhu) reports that the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: ‘The prayer of a woman in her partition is better than her prayer in her chamber, and her prayer in her chamber is better than her prayer in her house.’ (Abu Dawood)

It is narrated Umm Humaid As-Sa’diyah (radhiallahu ‘anha) who once said to the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam): Messenger of Allah! I love to pray with you (i.e. in the mosque). Upon hearing this, Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said:

‘I know that you love to say your prayer with me. However, the prayer you offer in your residence is more excellent than that you offer in your people’s mosque. And your prayer in your people’s mosque is better for you than you prayer in the (lager) congregational mosque.’ (Abu Dawud and At-Tabaraani)

From the above ahaadeeth (pl. of hadeeth) it is clear that a woman’s salat is more rewarded if it is done in her home.

And Allah knows best.

Wassalam.

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Binti Zahari