579. Can women lead other women in prayer?

By Asma bint Shameem 

Yes it’s permissible for women to pray together in Jama’ah if they are together. 

One of them can lead the others in Salah whether it is a Fardh prayer or Taraaweeh. 

*PROOF*:

Our Mother Aa’ishah radhi Allaahu anhaa used to lead women in prayer and would stand with them in the middle of the row.” (Al-Musannaf- Abdur Razzaq and Daraqutni)

Similarly Umm Al-Hasan narrated that she saw Umm Salamah radhi Allaahu anhaa leading women in prayer while she stood in the middle of their row.” 

(Ibn Abee Shaybah)

Umm Waraqah radhi Allaahu anhaa narrated that 

"the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) 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 (women) of her house in prayer." 

(Abu Dawood - Hasan by al-Albaani )

All these narrations are authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaani. 

And he said, after narrating these reports: 

“In conclusion, these reports are sound and may be acted upon, especially since they confirm the general meaning of the words of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam: “Women are the twin halves of men…” 

(Sifat Salaat al-Nabi, p. 153-155.)

The ulama said:

“It is permissible and correct for a woman to lead other women in prayer.” (Wilaayat al-Mar’ah fi’l-Fiqh al-Islami)

 HOW TO PRAY IN JAMA’AH?

You will pray exactly how you would if you were praying behind a male Imaam, except there are certain points we have to pay attention to. 

1. The female Imaam will stand in the middle of the first row with the sisters to her left and right. She will not stand ahead of them like a male Imaam does. 

Imaam al-Nawawi said: 

“The Sunnah is for a woman who is leading other women in prayer to stand in the middle of the row, because of the reports which state that ‘Aa’ishah and Umm Salamah led other women and they stood in the midst of them.” 

(Al-Majmoo’ Sharh al-Muhadhdab, vol. 4, p. 192)

2. Adhaan or iqaamah for the women?

There’s a difference of opinion among the ulama about this issue. 

Some allowed it and some didn’t. 

 

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

“It is not prescribed for women to say the iqaamah for prayer, whether they are praying individually or one woman leads the others in prayer, just as it is not prescribed for them to say the adhaan.”

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 6/84 

However ulama such as shaikh al-Albaani were of the opinion that it’s allowed for women to give the adhaan and iqaamah when they’re praying alone or amongst themselves based on the fact that Aaisha radhi Allaahu anhaa used to do that when she led other women in Salaah. 

But she should lower her voice so that nonmahrams may not hear her. 

(Silsilatul-Hudaa wan-Noor 697/3)

3. If it’s a ‘loud’ prayer, like Fajr, Maghrib or Ishaa, the female Imaam may recite out loud.

But if there are nonmahrams present, she may recite quietly. 

Ibn Qudaamah said: 

“She should recite out loud in prayers where it is required to recite out loud, but if there are any men present, she should not recite out loud, unless they are her mahrams, in which case she may do so.”

(Al-Mughni, 2/17)

. All the other rules of praying in congregation will apply, like you have to follow the Imaam, and not precede her, etc.  

CAN WOMEN LEAD MEN?

NO. Absolutely not. 

It’s NOT AT ALL valid for a woman to lead other men in the prayers even if they are her mahrams. 

NO ONE ever did that before and anyone who allows it is going against the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam, the Sahaabah, and the consensus of the ulama of all the generations. 

And if any man prays behind a woman, his prayer is NOT VALID.

Imaam an-Nawawi said:

“Our companions are agreed that it is not permissible for an adult man or a boy to pray behind a woman… the prohibition on a woman leading men in prayer applies equally to obligatory prayers, Taraweeh and all supererogatory prayers. This is our view and the view of all the scholars from the earlier and later generations – may Allaah have mercy on them. Al-Bayhaqi narrated this from the seven fuqaha’, the Taabi’i fuqaha’ of Madeenah. It is also the view of Maalik, Abu Haneefah, Sufyaan, Ahmad and Dawood….”

(al-Majmoo(4/152)

And Allaah knows best

578. Making Collective Duaa

By Asma bint Shameem 

Making collective duaa itself is not wrong. 

It’s WHEN, WHERE, WHY and HOW the duaa is made that’s important. 

If it’s done in places and situations that are proven to be from the practice of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam, then it’s good. 

If it’s done In situations where there’s NO proof of it from the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam then it should NOT be done. 

That’s because duaa is an act of worship. 

And every act of worship is TAWQEEFI’. 

That means that we have to have EVIDENCE for that act of worship in the Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah. 

Some examples of when the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam raised his hands and made *collective* Duaa are when he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam made duaa for the prayer for rain, or the eclipse prayer or when praying Qunoot, or in Arafah, etc. 

And an example of when he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

made *collective* Duaa *without* raising his hands is when making duaa during Friday Khutbah. 

However, people have taken certain times and places where they make collective duaa although the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam DID NOT do so. 

And they do it VERY RELIGIOUSLY, THINKING  they’re doing something good, although IT’S NOT. 

Examples when the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam did NOT make *collective* Duaa, although PEOPLE DO IT:

- at the end of EACH and EVERY Dars, halaqah, lecture, gathering or get together etc 

They think the duaa is “part” of the dars, or halaqah and the dars/halaqah is not complete without it. 

or 

- when the Imaam finishes Salaah, he makes collective duaa. 

or

- when someone passes away and people make collective Duaa. 

This should NOT be done on a REGULAR basis. 

If it happens SPONTANEOUSLY or here and there ONCE in a WHILE it’s ok. 

Otherwise, to have a ‘PLANNED’ congregational or collective duaa at the end of EVERY class, or gathering or to make this a HABIT or to think that it’s PART of the DEEN, then that becomes BID’AH. 

Someone asked Imaam Ahmad:

“Is it makrooh for people to gather together, calling upon Allaah and raising their hands? 

He said: 

“I do not regard it as makrooh for the brothers so long as they did not meet DELIBERATELY for that purpose, provided they do NOT DO IT on a REGULAR basis.”

Shaatabi al-Maliki said:

‘Constantly making Duaa in a form of a congregation was NOT from the actions of the Messenger of Allaah -sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam, as it was not from the statements of the Messenger, nor was it from that which he allowed.” (al-‘Itissam (1/248)

Ibn Taymiyah said: 

“Meeting together to read Qur’aan, remember Allaah and call upon Him (du‘aa’) is good and mustahabb, so long as it is NOT TAKEN as a REGULAR PRACTICE  like those gatherings that are prescribed in Islaam, and so long as it is not accompanied by any reprehensible innovation.” (Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 22/523)

Therefore, if someone makes duaa at the end of a halaqah or gathering “SOME” TIMES and does NOT make duaa at OTHER times, that’s fine. 

However to think that we HAVE to make duaa after completing a lesson or a halaqah or Salaah EVERY SINGLE TIME and to think that it’s part of the Sunnah or something you HAVE to do, each time you meet, then that’s NOT from the Sunnah. 

There’s NO PROOF of this action from the practice of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or his Sahaabah. 

And Allaah knows best

577. Should I Raise My Hands When The Imaam Is Making Duaa During The Friday Khutbah?

By Asma bint Shameem 

There were times and places when the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam raised his hands while making duaa and there were times and places when he did NOT raise his hands while making duaa. 

The Friday Khutbah is one of the places when he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam did NOT raise his hands while making duaa. 

Nor is there any report of the Sahaabah raising their hands while they were listening to the Imaam making duaa during the khutbah, except when praying salaat al-Istisqaa’, the prayer for rain. 

So if they didn’t do it, we shouldn’t be doing it either. 

In fact some of the Sahaabah were UPSET when they saw someone making duaa raising their hands during the Jumu’ah khutbah. 

When Umaarah ibn Ru’aybah radhi Allaahu anhu saw Bishr ibn Marwaan on the minbar raising his hands (during Friday khutbah), he said: 

“May Allaah make these two hands ugly. I saw the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam doing no more than this with his hand,” and he pointed with his forefinger.” (Muslim)

You see, making duaa is an *act of worship*. 

And every act of worship has to have *PROOF* from the Qur’aan or authentic Sunnah, otherwise it’s not permissible. 

If we don’t have proof from the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or the Sahaabah for raising the hands during the Jumu’ah khutbah, then we shouldn’t be doing that either. 

That applies to both the Imaam AND the attendees. 

We should just quietly say Ameen to the Imaam’s duaas WITHOUT raising our hands. 

Imaam an-Nawawi said:

“This indicates that the Sunnah is NOT to raise the hands during the khutbah,”

Shaikh ibn Uthaymeen said:

“Raising the hands when the imaam is delivering the khutbah on Friday is not prescribed in sharee’ah. 

The Sahaabah denounced Bishr ibn Marwaan when he raised his hands during the Friday khutbah. 

But an exception is made in the case of prayers for rain (istisqaa’), because it is proven that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam raised his hands when praying to Allaah for rain during the Friday khutbah, and the people raised their hands with him.

 But apart from that one should not raise one's hands when making du’aa’ during the Friday khutbah.”

(Fataawa Arkaan al-Islam, p. 392)

And Allaah knows best

576. Is Toilet Paper ‘Enough’ After Using The Bathroom, In Order For Me To Be Considered ‘Pure’ And Clean? Or Do I Have To Wash With Water?

By Asma bint Shameem 

It’s perfectly alright to clean oneself with toilet paper alone, without using water as long as all the najaasah (impurity) is cleaned.

Proof:

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam used to clean himself with stones after using the bathroom and this is called ‘Istijmaar’. 

And he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam did not necessarily use water for cleaning every time he relieved himself. 

He Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“When any one of you goes and defecates, let him take with him three stones and cleanse himself with them, and that will be *sufficient* for him.” (Ahmad- saheeh by al-Albaani)

The word “sufficient” used here means it’s *enough for achieving purity*. 

And he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“Whoever does wudoo’, let him rinse his nose, and whoever does istijmaar let him use an odd number.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

Salmaan al-Faarisi radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“Indeed, the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam forbade us from facing the Qiblah while defecating or urinating, from wiping (ourselves) using the right hand, wiping with less than three stones, or *wiping with dung and bones.”

[Muslim]

Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu reported that he used to carry a vessel for the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam to do wudhu and clean himself after answering the call of nature. 

Whilst he was following him, he (the Prophet) asked, Who is that? 

He said: I am Abu Hurayrah. 

He said: Get me some stones I can use to clean myself, but do not bring me any bones or dung. So I brought him some stones, carrying them in the hem of my garment, and placed them by his side, then I went away. 

When he had finished, I came back and asked him, What is wrong with bones and dung? 

He said: They are the food of the jinn.”

(al-Bukhaari, 3571).

The above Ahaadeeth show the validity of Istijmaar. 

And PROVE that it does not HAVE to be “only” water or stones to clean ourselves. 

Rather ANYTHING can be used as long as it’s not bones or dung. 

So the conditions for istijmaar are:

Not to face the qibla

Not to use one's right hand

To use a minimum of three pebbles

Not to use bones or dung.

Everything else is permissible. 

If ONLY water or stones were supposed to be used for cleaning ourselves after answering the call of nature, then the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would have clearly said so. 

Rather he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam ONLY forbade the use of bone or dung. 

That’s why the Ulama say that anything that’s pure like leaves, cloth, and even toilet paper may be used for istijmaar although washing with water is best. 

But in case there’s no water or it’s difficult to use it, for some reason, then toilet paper is sufficient to purify oneself. 

Just make sure that all the najaasah is removed and that you clean yourself at least three times. 

The use of stones or toilet paper or anything else in its place is a rukhsah (allowance or concession) that Allaah has given us out of His Mercy for us. 

And Allaah LOVES that we use his concessions  whenever we can. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

 “Allaah likes His concessions (rukhsah) to be taken” 

[Ahmad (5832) saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel (564)]

We must also remember Allaah’s words in the Qur’aan: 

“He has not placed any hardship for you in your religion.” 

(Al-Hajj 22:78)

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“This religion of ours is easy and simple to practice; if you make it hard upon yourself, you will be defeated by it.

So do not be extremists, but try to be near perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded.”

(al-Bukhaari) 

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

“There is consensus among the Muslims that it is permissible to do istijmaar using stones both in the winter and in the summer.”

(Ighaathat al-Lahfaan (1/151) 

And using tissue or toilet paper is the SAME as using stones or pebbles. 

How to do Istijmaar?

-Use your left hand

- wipe ODD number of times, but not less than three times. 

- you can use anything such as toilet paper or pebbles like in the old days; 

Or any other material, except bones, dung etc that was prohibited to be used by the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam. 

Shaikh ibn Uthaymeen said:

“Istijmaar means to cleanse the front or back passage of urine or stools using stones or something else in their place. 

One of the things that may take their place is tissue, but on the condition that one wipes no less than three times. 

And one should not use things that are forbidden to be used for istijmaar such as dung and bones, or things that have a kind of sanctity such as food etc. 

It is permissible to do istijmaar with or without water. The scholars said, it is better to use both, because that is cleaner.” 

So even if you use just toilet paper after using the bathroom you are still ‘clean’ and you can still offer your prayers.

No need to wait to ‘wash’ with water later on in order for  your Salaah to be valid. 

And Allaah knows best.