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-o-alaikum!I would like to know if it is acceptable for two or more women to get together and offer taraweeh prayers like in a Jama'ah. My wife is not able to attend the taraweeh prayers at the masjid because of our young children. She then visits a neighbour's house when the children are asleep and both of them offer taraweeh prayers together. I personally think that she should offer the prayers at home. Is there any clear guidance from Shariah in this regard?Jazak Allah.

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Answer:

Taraweeh prayer for Women

Absolutely, the women in Islam are allowed to go to the mosques and pray the Taraweeh prayers in congregation.  But, according to the authentic narrations of the Messenger of Allah (saws) it is preferable for women to pray at home than to go to the mosques.

Abu Hurairah relates that the Prophet (saws) said: "Do not keep the slave girls of Allah from the mosques of Allah. And they are to go out unperformed."

Ibn 'Umar reports that the Prophet (saws) said: "Do not prevent the women from going to the mosques, although their houses are better for them."

These two ahaadiths were related by Ahmad and Abu Dawud.

Abu Hurairah also reports that the Prophet (saws) said: "Any woman who uses some scent should not be present with us during the night prayer." This is related by Muslim, Abu Dawud, and an-Nasa'i.

Ahmad and at-Tabarani record that Umm Hum aid as-Sa'diyah came to the Messenger of Allah (saws) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, I love to pray with you."   The Prophet (saws) said: "I am aware of that, but your salah in your residence is better for you than your salah in your people's mosque.  And your salah in your people's mosque is better than your salah in the [larger] congregational Mosque."

Umm Salamah, the wife of the Prophet (saws) and the mother of the believers, related that the Prophet (saws) came to the mosque's courtyard and said at the top of his voice, "The mosque is off limits to menstruating women and the sexually impure persons." (Related by Ibn Majah and at-Tabarani.)

In light of the above narrations, it is better for women to pray in their houses than to attend congregational prayers in the mosques.  However, they may go to the mosque and attend the congregational prayer if they avoid wearing or using any attractive, or tempting adornment, or perfume. 

Your comment: She then visits a neighbour's house when the children are asleep and both of them offer taraweeh prayers together.

Fiqh-us-Sunnah Fiqh 2.58

It is preferred to have a woman imam for women

Hadrat Aishah (R.A.), the wife of the Prophet (saws), used to lead the women in salah and stand with the women in the middle of the first row.  Hadrat Umm Salamah (R.A.), the wife of the Prophet (saws), would also do so.   The Prophet (saws) appointed Waraqah to go and make the adhaan for her, while he instructed her to lead the women of her household in the obligatory prayers.

Women are allowed to offer Taraweeh Salah in congregation of women only: the one difference is that the woman imam will not stand ahead of the congregation, but rather with the women in the middle of the first row.

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

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan