The Prophet (saws) said, “Be straight in the prostrations and none of you should put his forearms on the ground (in the prostration) like a dog.”
So when this hadith is there then why do women have to touch the elbows to the ground?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
(Fatwa: 17/16/D=01/1435)
The order which is presented in the hadith is for men, it is not for women. Women are asked to huddle the elbows in sajdah. It is mentioned in Abu Dawood that the holy Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) passed nearby two women who were offering salah, the holy Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
إذا سجدتما فضما بعض اللحم إلى الأرض؛ فإن المرآة فى ذلك ليست كالرجل (ابوداؤد، مراسيل ص 1 ، 107 رقم 84)
Also the commentators of hadith have explained that these hadith are only for men not for women.
وهذا فى حق الرجل لا المرأة؛ فإنها تخالفه فى ذلك لما اخرجه ابوداؤد الخ (سبل السلام شرح بلوغ المرام ص 1 ج 213)
Allah knows Best!
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband