Women leading the prayer (Jama’ah)

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah Most Merciful Most Kind

Short Answer

Yes, this is true. Hanafis consider it Makruh Tahreeman for women to lead prayer. This is the case when it is a women’s only Jama’ah (congregational prayer). If she were to lead men, then the men’s prayer would be invalid. As for Jummah (Friday prayer), it is invalid for everyone.

Explanation

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: خَيْرُ صُفُوفِ الرِّجَالِ أَوَّلُهَا، وَشَرُّهَا آخِرُهَا، وَخَيْرُ صُفُوفِ النِّسَاءِ آخِرُهَا، وَشَرُّهَا أَوَّلُهَا

(Sayidina) Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: The best of the men’s rows (in Salah) is the first row, and the worst is the last. And the best of the woman’s rows is the last and the worst of their rows is the first. (Sahih Muslim, 440 – 132).

The blessed Hadith above requires women to stay at the back of Jama’ah (congregational prayer). Therefore, it is not permitted for women to lead prayer. This is the position of the Hanafi Madhab. However, if a woman were to lead other women in Salah it would be valid but sinful. Unless it were the Friday prayer (Jumah), that would be invalid.

Hanafi References

Many great Imams of the Hanafi Madhab have clarified that it is Makruh for women to lead prayer. It is found in beginners works as well as more advanced books. There is no excuse for a person who has studied the Hanafi books to get this wrong.

ويكره للنساء أن يصلين وحدهن الجماعة. لأنها لا تخلو عن ارتكاب محرم. (الهداية في شرح بداية المبتدي)

It is disliked for women to pray alone in congregation, because it involves committing a forbidden act. (Imam Burhan al-Deen al-Marghinani 593H, al-Hidayah).

قَالَ – رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ – (وَجَمَاعَةُ النِّسَاءِ) أَيْ كُرِهَ جَمَاعَةُ النِّسَاءِ. (تبيين الحقائق شرح كنز الدقائق)

He (Imam al-Nasafi, May Allah have mercy on him) said: And a group of women. Meaning a congregational prayer of women is disliked. (Imam Fakhr al-Deen al-Zaylai 743H, Tabyeen al-Haqaaiq).

(كَجَمَاعَةِ النِّسَاءِ وَحْدهُنَّ) أي كما كُرِه جماعة النساء بالإمام منهن. (فتح باب العناية بشرح النقاية)

Like a congregational prayer of women alone. Meaning, it is disliked for women to establish a congregational prayer with an Imam from them. (Imam Ali al-Qari 1014H, Fath Bab al-Inayah).

وكره جماعة النساء بواحدة منهن. (مراقي الفلاح شرح نور الإيضاح)

Congregational prayer of women, with one of them, is disliked. (Imam Hasan bin Ammar al-Shurunbulali 1069H, Maraaqi al-Falah).

Imam al-Tahtawi commented on the above text from Nurul Idah and Maraaqi al-Falah. He explained that it is Makruh Tahreeman for women to lead prayer (Jama’ah). Therefore, it should not be taken lightly. Since it is sinful.

(وكره جماعة النساء) تحريما للزوم أحد المحظورين قيام الإمام في الصف الأول وهو مكروه أو تقدم الإمام وهو أيضا مكروه في حقهن. (حاشية الطحطاوي على مراقي الفلاح)

Congregational prayer of women is disliked. Tahreeman. Due to it necessitating of one of two prohibited matters. The Imam standing in the first row, which is disliked. Or the Imam being in front, which is also disliked for them. (Imam Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Tahtawi 1231H, Haashiyah ala Maraaqi al-Falah).

Action of Sayidah Ayshah

A significant objection to the Hanafi position is found in the action of our blessed mother Sayidah Ayeshah (May Allah Most High be pleased with her). Those who differ with Hanafis say she used to lead women in prayer, so how could it be wrong. Imam al-Marghinani, the famous author of al-Hidaayah provided an explanation.

He felt that this was the practice of Sayidah Ayeshah for a period of time but then she left it. Not all Hanafis agreed with this explanation. However, they did generally agree with the position of the Madhab.

وَحُمِلَ فِعْلُهَا الْجَمَاعَةَ عَلَى ابْتِدَاءِ الْإِسْلَامِ. (الهداية في شرح بداية المبتدي)

Her establishing congregational prayer is understood to refer to the beginning of Islam. (Imam Burhan al-Deen al-Marghinani 593H, al-Hidayah).

All prayers

In the Hanafi Madhab it is Makruh Tahreeman for women to lead prayer irrespective of it being Fard or Nafl. So, it certainly does include Taraaweeh prayer. However, the Hanafi Imams did make an exception for Janazah prayer. But even that is in particular and rare circumstances.

يُكْرَهُ تَحْرِيمًا (جَمَاعَةُ النِّسَاءِ) وَلَوْ التَّرَاوِيحَ

(قَوْلُهُ وَيُكْرَهُ تَحْرِيمًا) صَرَّحَ بِهِ فِي الْفَتْحِ وَالْبَحْرِ (قَوْلُهُ وَلَوْ فِي التَّرَاوِيحِ) أَفَادَ أَنَّ الْكَرَاهَةَ فِي كُلِّ مَا تُشْرَعُ فِيهِ جَمَاعَةُ الرِّجَالِ فَرْضًا أَوْ نَفْلًا. (رد المحتار على الدر المختار)

Imam al-Haskafi: It is Makruh Tahriman for women to pray in congregation. Even for Tarawih prayers.

Imam Ibn Abideen: His statement, “It is Makruh Tahriman,” in al-Fath and al-Bahr he was explicit regarding it. His statement, “Even in Tarawih,” indicates that dislike is in all prayers that are permitted in congregation for men. Whether obligatory or voluntary. (Radd al-Muhtar).

Conclusion

It is important for students to study with different teachers. There are many benefits of this. One of the major benefits is that one is more likely to catch mistakes and not be misled.

Unfortunately, many people who teach the Hanafi Madhab make serious errors. This not only leads to students misunderstanding important Masail (legal issues), but sometimes it completely misrepresents the Madhab itself.

It is clear from the above references that the Hanafis consider it Makruh for women to lead prayer. This should be taught by all teachers of the Madhab as the position. However, if someone wants to follow a position from another Madhab that permits it, then that is fine if the conditions are fulfilled.

And Allah Most High Knows Best

And Allah Most High Knows Best.

–Answered by Shaykh Noorud-deen Rashid (09.04.25)