Question Summary
Is it necessary for the Imam to intend to lead women in prayer?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
Your wife does not need to repeat her prayer due to the following rulings:
It is not a condition for the validity of the women’s prayer that the Imam intends to lead them – as long as the woman does not stand next to the Imam or any other male follower.
If she does stand next to the Imam or any male follower, she is no longer considered a follower of the Imam’s prayer, nor is her prayer valid. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar citing the Halba]
Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani