Question:
Assalamualaikum
Please tell me the Hadith that says that women should perform their Salaat different from that of man as another hadith states: Pray like how you see me praying”
Jazaakumullah
Answer:
Narrated from Yazeed bin Hubaib that Nabi SAW passed by two woman who were performing Salaah, Nabi SAW told them that when you perform Sajdah then let part of your body touch the ground because the rule for woman (in Sajdah) is not the same like that for men (Maraaseel Abu Dawood Pg. 8).
Abdullah Ibn Umar narrated that Nabi SAW said,” when a woman make Sajdah she should press her stomach against her thighs in such a way that more hiding (of the shape of her body) takes place” (Ibn Adi from Baihaqi, Kanzul Ummaal Vol. 4 Pg. 117).
Ummi Dardaa RA raised her hands to her shoulders when beginning Salah (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah).
Ataa’ said that a woman has a special way (of performing Salah) that, different to men.
Waa-il Ibn Hajar narrated that Nabi SAW told me that when I perform Salah I should raise my hands to my ears, and woman should raise their hands to their breasts (Kanzul Ummaal Vol.7 Pg. 307, Majma’uz Zawaaid Vol. 3 Pg. 103, and Tabraani Vol. 22 Pg. 2019)
There are many other Ahaadith and Aathaar to prove that the manner in which a woman performs her Salaah is different to that of men. This was understood by all the pious predecessors going into the time of the Sahaabah and Nabi SAW. Our main object is to worship Allah sincerely in the specific ways prescribed, i.e. standing, Ruku, Sajdah etc. Yes Nabi SAW did order us to perform Salah the way he did, but he also made an exception to the rule with regard to the Salaah of a woman. This exception doesn’t contradict their performing Salaah according to Sunnah. In actual fact if woman perform their Salaah in other ways then that prescribed by Nabi SAW they will be going against the Sunnah. Although there may be a slight difference in posture if the concentration and sincerity is in order there shouldn’t be any objections.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Shaakir bin Moulana Yaseen Rahim
Attested to as correct by:
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
27 July 2006
01 Rajab 1427