Question:
Please could you help me out. I am a Hanafi follower, but recently I’ve been confused. Can you please give me proof from Qur’an and Hadith, with regards to a woman performing Salaah.
I normally make my sajdah (sujood) with my body and limbs close together, touching the floor as much as possible. My forearms also touch the ground. Recently I was told that the Prophete has discouraged and reprimanded a person who performs sujood in the manner that resembles a dog. I was told that the way I am making my sujood, with my forearms touching the ground is totally wrong. Please explain to me the correct manner with proof from Qur’an or Hadith.
Also kindly explain each and every posture of Salaah that a woman needs to adhere to with proof from Qur’an and Hadith. Jazakallah for your time. Please reply as soon as possible as I am totally confused and am unable to concentrate in my Salaah.
Wassalam,
Sister in Islam
Answer:
Males and females differ in their organs of the body, therefore Shariat has mentioned the law for males and females separately. Of we have to look at Haj, Salaah, etc we will notice that the there are some different rulings for males and females. In Salaah there are different rulings for males and females. We will notice that Jumu’a Salaah is not Fardh on a female. (Abu Dawood, Mishkaat, Vol.1, Page 1).
For a male the best place of worship is in the masjid whereas for a female the best place of worship is in her house, rather the corner of her room. (Abu Dawood, Mishkaat, Vol.1, Page 96). Shariat considered the purdah issue and made it such that the best place of worship for a lady is in the corner of her room.
Purdah is compulsory on a lady, therefore she has been prevented from carrying out certain actions, e.g. regarding their purdah the Qur’an says: “And tell the believing women that they should cast down their gazes and preserve their chastity, and that they should not display their ornaments except that which is apparent of it. And let them draw their head-coverings over their bosoms, and let them not display their finery except to their husbands...” (Surah Noor, Chapter 4, Aayat 31). Regarding their talking the Qur’an mentions: “O women of the Nabi! You are unlike the common women if you exercise self-abstinence. Therefore, be not too complacent in speech, lest he in whose heart there lurks a disease hold out hope; and (anyway) say a suitable word.” (Surah Ahzaab, Chapter 4, Aayah 32). The above verse is regarding the manner in which a female should speak to strange men. Although the verse is referring to the wives of the Prophete, but the law is general (i.e. referring to all females). Even during her Salaah, she should not expose her body but rather conceal herself.
The following differences are found in a females Salaah:
1. Raising the hands:
Waail bin Hujrt states that Rasulullahe said to him: “Oh Ibn Hujr, when you perform Salaah raise your hands till your ears while a woman should raise her hands till her chest.” i.e. her shoulders (“Majmauz-Zawaaid”)
The Muslim Ummah continued this practice over the centuries. Imam Zuhri (R.A.) used to issue the same fatwa in Madinatul Munawwarah. In view of this narration the Fuqaha (jurists) have issued the following ruling as mentioned in Al-Hidayah: “A female should raise her hands till her shoulders. This is the correct view because there is more concealment in this posture for her.“
2. The placing of the hands:
“The Jurists are unanimous in that the Sunnah way for women is to place their hands upon their bosoms as this is more purdah for her.” (“As-Si’aayah”, Vol. 2, Page 156.)
3. Sajdah:
Imam Abu Dawood has narrated the following Hadith in his “Marasil”, Page 118
Yazid bin Habib states that Rasulullahe passed by two women who were performing their Salaah. He said to them: “When you prostrate, join some flesh to the earth (i.e. place some parts of the body on the ground) as women are unlike men in these aspects.” (“Marasil”, Page 118)
In another Hadith Nabie mentioned: “When a lady prostrates, she must attach her stomach to her thighs, i.e. her stomach and thighs must touch each other. (“Sunanul Kubra”, Vol.2, Page 223.)
4. The Sitting Position:
Ibni Abbast was asked regarding the Salaah of a female. He replied: “She must draw herself close together and lean onto one side, i.e. by resting on her left buttock.” (“Al-Musannif li Ibni Shaybah”, Vol.1, Page 270.)
It is mentioned in the Musnad of Imam Abu Hanifah (R.A.):
Ibni Umar t was asked: “How did the women perform Salaah during the time of Rasulullahe?” He replied: “They performed “Tarabbu'”, then they were instructed to draw themselves close together (i.e. they should lean onto one side by resting on their left buttocks and completely contracting themselves.) (“Jami’ul Masaanid”, Vol 1, Page 400)
“Tarabbu'” means to sit cross-legged. The women used to sit in this position before they were ordered to do the above and this position i.e. Tarabbu’ was abrogated.
Conclusion:
Therefore we come to find out that there is a difference between the Salaah of a male and female as we can see from the above proofs from the Qur’an and Hadith.
This Fatwa was answered by Mufti Muhammad bin Ishaaq Nakwa and attested to by
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf, Head of the Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah.