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Women Leading Men in Prayer

Updated: May 28, 2020

Q: Is it permissible for a woman to lead another man or other men in prayer?


A: The authoritative ruling of the school is that it is not valid for a woman (or a hermaphrodite) to lead a man in any prayer be it obligatory, recommended, or voluntary.


If a man were to unknowingly pray behind either and then come to find out, he must make up that prayer.


It should be noted that many of the earlier generation (al-mutaqaddimun) held the view that a woman who knew how to recite was permitted to lead men and hermaphrodites in tarawih prayer (and other voluntary prayers by default) if they were ALL illiterate. The woman would stand behind them and lead.


Source: Sharh al-Muntaha



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