Can Women Lead Prayers in Islam

Answered by: Alimah Nasima Umm Hamza

Question:

Can women lead prayers in Islam, such as congregational prayer and/or leading a family prayer?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

A woman is not allowed to lead females in prayers because it is makruh tahrimi (prohibitively disliked). [1]

It is important that we understand that the congregational prayers are usually prayed in the Masjid, led by a (male) imam, where both men and women can join the congregation. In fact, when we consider the great duties and responsibilities a woman has, we realize that it is a mercy from Allah (swt), that women are not required to attend the Masjid, but can attend it as a choice. We see that the female-only congregation was not something that was common amongst the Sahabiyaat, hence there are no widespread narrations about this. What is known is that they would attend the Masjid and join the congregation there.

Only Allah knows best.

Answered By Alimah Nasima Umm Hamza

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham