Is there any proof from Hadith or from the statements of the Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum) or Tabi’un regarding the Hanafi method of Sajdah for females?
Hereunder are narrations on this topic:
1) The Tabi’i; Yazid ibn Abi Habib (rahimahullah) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) once passed by a two women who were performing Salah and said, “When you prostrate [make sajdah] then allow some of your flesh to touch the ground [i.e. Allow your body to remain close to the ground], for the [sajdah] of a woman differs to that of a man.”
(Al Marasil of Imam Abu Dawud: 87. The narrators of this Hadith are reliable. Also see: As Sunanul Kubra of Imam Bayhaqi, vol. 2 pg. 222-223)
2) Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “When a woman makes sajdah, she should draw herself close together and join her thighs.”
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 2793. ‘Allamah Zafar Ahmad ‘Uthmani rahimahullah has declared this narration sound. i’ilaus Sunan, vol. 3 pg. 30-32)
3) Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) was asked regarding the Salah of a woman. He replied, ‘She must draw herself close together and contract herself.”
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 2794)
4) Ibrahim An Nakha’i (rahimahullah) said: “When a woman makes sajdah, she should make her belly touch her thighs and she should not raise her posterior nor should she spread herself out like a man.”
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 2798, Musannaf ‘Abdur Razzaq: 5071)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar