On the Imaamate of Women in Prayer

Author: Al-Adhimabadi
Source: `Awn al-Ma`bood (trans. Abu Rumaysah) 

Awn al-Ma`bood [2/300-301], the commentary to Abu Daawood by Abu at-Tayyib al-Adheemabaadee, may Allaah have mercy upon him

577) Umm Waraqah, the daughter of Nawfal reported, "When the Prophet (SAWS) proceeded for Badr I said to him, 'Messenger of Allaah allow me to accompany you in the battle. I shall act as a nurse for your patients and may be Allaah will bestow martyrdom upon me.' He replied, 'stay at your home and Allaah the Exalted will bestow martyrdom upon you.' [The narrator said: hence she was called a martyr.] She read the Qur'ân and sought permission from the Prophet (SAWS) to have a mu'adhdhin in her house. He therefore permitted her to do so. She announced that her slave and slave girl would be free after her death so one night they strangled her with a sheet of cloth until she died and ran away. The next day Umar announced that anyone who has knowledge of them or has seen them should bring them to him. (After they were caught) Umar ordered that they be crucified and this was the first crucifixion at Madeenah."

578) From Umm Waraqah, the daughter of Abdullaah bin al-Haarith, "The Messenger of Allaah (SAWS) used to visit her at her house. He appointed a mu'adhdhin to call adhaan for her and he commanded her to lead the inmates of her house in prayer." Abdur Rahmaan said, "I saw that her mu'adhdhin was an old man." [Abu Daawood (Eng. Trans. #591&592)]

This hadeeth establishes that the imaamate of women and their praying in congregation is correct and affirmed by means of the order of the Messenger of Allaah (SAW). Aa'ishah (RA) and Umm Salamah (RA) led the women in prayer for the obligatory prayers and the prayer of Taraaweeh.

Al-Haafidh said in ‘Talkhees al-Habeer’,

"The hadeeth of Aa'ishah that she led the women in prayer by standing in the middle (of their first row) was reported by Abdurrazaaq and via his route, ad-Daaraqutnee and al-Bayhaqee from the hadeeth of Abu Haazim from Raa'ita al-Hanafiyyah from Aa'ishah that 'she led them in an obligatory prayer standing amongst them.'

Ibn Abee Shaybah and al-Haakim report via the route of Ibn Abee Laylah from Ataa from Aa`ishah 'that she used lead the women in prayer and stand in the middle of their (first row).'

The hadeeth of Umm Salamah that she led the women in prayer and stood in the middle of them was reported by ash-Shaafi`ee, Ibn Abee Shaybah and Abdurrazaaq all from Ibn Uyaynah from Ammaar ad-Dahnee from a woman of his people who was called Hajeerah from Umm Salamah 'that she led them in prayer and stood in the middle (of the first row).'

The wording of Abdurrazaaq has, 'Umm Salamah led us in the Asr prayer and stood in the middle of us.'"

Al-Haafidh also said in ‘ad-Diraayah’,

"Muhammad bin al-Hasan reports from Ibraaheem an-Nakha`ee from Aa`ishah 'That she used to lead the women in prayer during the month of Ramadaan and stood in the middle (of their first row).'"

I say: it is clear from these ahaadeeth that when a woman leads other women then she stands in the middle (of their first row) amongst them and not in front of them (as a man does).

(As-Sana`aanee) said in ‘as-Subul as-Salaam’,

"The hadeeth lends proof for the correctness of a woman leading the people of her household, even if their be a man amongst them - and in this case he was her mu'adhdhin and an old man. The literal sense of the hadeeth shows that she used to lead him, her servant and her slave-girl.

Abu Thawr, al-Muzanee and at-Tabaree took to the opinion that this was correct while the majority were of the opposite opinion."