Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalam Alaikum Brother Burhan,

is it necessary to give iqama before prayer (salah) for women?

Thank you for your urgent reply.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Iqama before prayer

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) always prayed his ‘fard’ or obligatory prayers in congregation, thus the ‘Adhaan’ was announced by the caller to prayer, and after the appointed time when the believers had gathered in the mosques, the ‘Iqaamah’ was announced, and the believers would stand in the rows and make themselves available for prayers. Thus the absolute majority of the scholars are unanimous in their opinion that it is obligatory to announce the ‘adhaan’ and the ‘iqama’ when praying in congregation.

The main reason and wisdom behind the declaration of the ‘adhaan’ aloud is to make aware to the believers that the time of offering the prayer has begun. If one is praying alone at home, it is not obligatory for him to give the ‘adhaan’ or the ‘iqaamah’ before one starts ones prayer. If one has heard the ‘adhaan’ being called from the mosques, or if one is sure the time of prayer has approached, they may simply make the intention and start their prayer. But if one praying alone, for any reason declares the ‘adhaan’ or the ‘iqaamah’, there is absolutely no harm and will not effect the validity of his prayers in any way.

But whenever there are two or more believers, regardless if men or women, gathered at any place and they intend to offer their prayers in congregation; then it would be best and in accordance with the Sunnah if they announce the ‘adhaan’, then the ‘iqaamah’, and then start their prayer in congregation.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan