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Can Women Pray Outside?

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by Seekersguidance.org

Question:

Assalamu ‘Alaykum.

Someone told me that women should not pray outside in public because it would be inappropriate for non-mahram men to see them bowing and prostrating.
She then told me that women are allowed to pray sitting in the car for this reason if they do not have the opportunity to still get to the mosque during prayer time.
What is the correct view in Islam?

Answer:

Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa brakatuh.

I pray you are well.

No, women’s prayer is not immodest, and it is not inappropriate for them to pray publicly. The dress of Muslim ladies is modest, the bowing is minimal, and the sujud ensures the body is in the least visible position. How is this inappropriate?

Ladies have been praying in public since the Prophet’s time (Allah bless him and give him peace). There are millions of ladies at the Hajj, and they don’t have special provision for their prayer there, do they?

It wouldn’t be permissible to sit and pray in a car without a genuine need. For that, I suggest you recommend to your friend to study the laws of the prayer in detail. We have many free courses available. It will make things very clear.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
Abdul-Rahim

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

This answer was collected from Seekersguidance.org. It’s an online learning platform overseen by Sheikh Faraz Rabbani. All courses are free. They also have in-person classes in Canada.

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