Women praying in congregation led by a woman Fatwa No: 88915
- Fatwa Date:23-11-2004
I am asking again the same question. A group of women pray only Taraaweeh not 'Ishaa Salat at home and Qur'aan Hafiz lead the Taraaweeh, they all make one raw and perform Taraaweeh Salat like a Jamaa't. They all want to finish reading a Qur'aan in this way. Is it acceptable according to Sunnah or not? I will appreciate of your time and reply.
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
Yes, it is permissible for a group of women to pray Taraaweeh prayers in congregation being led by a woman. Abu Daawood, Al-Daaraqutni, and Ahmad reported that the Prophet ordered Waraqah Bint 'Abdullaah Ibn Al-Haarith to lead the prayer (with other females) in her home since she had memorized the whole Qur'aan. Ibn Abu Shaybah and Al-Haakim reported that 'Aa'ishah used to lead the prayer and stand in the same row with other women. Moreover, 'Abdur-Razzaaq reported that Um Salamah led the women in 'Asr prayer and she was standing in the same row with them. All these narrations are evidence that it is correct for a woman to lead obligatory and supererogatory prayers contrary to the view of some jurists who consider that it is dislikeable or forbidden for a woman to lead the prayer.
Allaah knows best.