Women Leading the Prayer
Worship
Question asked by .
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Saleem
Question:

Can women lead a prayer? Is there something explicitly forbidding women leading men in prayers? Someone has quoted that the Prophet (sws) appointed Ummi Warqa to lead men in prayers? Is that true?



Answer:

The Sunnah established by the Prophet (sws) in congregational prayers is that only men can lead a prayer.

Dr Muhammad Hamidullah, a famous Muslim scholar has tried to prove through certain indications found in a Hadīth that the Prophet (sws) had appointed Ummi Warqah to lead men in prayers. These indications are quite weak and do not substantiate the claim. Moreover, a Hadīth which contradicts an established Sunnah cannot be accepted.

   
 
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