Is it permissible for a woman to pray outside the mosque where men can see her?

Dear Brothers & Sisters,
As-Salaamu-Alaikum 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:
During Ramadaan the masajid here become full, Alhamdulillah. So they have to prepare additional places outside the masjid. Some women may not be able to find a place within this additional place, which is nearly covered, so the pray outside. I used to return without performing the prayer if I find that there is no concealed place, and pray, instead, at home. Today I was discussing this matter with a sister who said to me that there is no evidence to prove that a woman cannot pray in a place where she might be seen by others. She added that as long you go out and talk to the sellers and drivers, why cannot you pray in front of them as well. She said that women pray beside men in the haram (sacred masjid). Unfortunately I did not have a Hadeeth as evidence to prove that she is wrong and I am right. I promised to bring her a detailed answer after searching, if Allah wills. Please clarify this matter to me, and tell me why women are allowed to pray beside men in the haram.
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Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly: 

It is permissible for a woman to go out and pray in the mosque with the congregation, whether that is an obligatory prayer or Taraaweeh, but praying in her house is better for her. 

Ahmad (27135) narrated from Umm Humayd, the wife of Abu Humayd al-Saa’idi, that she came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allaah, I love to pray with you." He said: "I know that you loveto pray with me, but praying in your house is better for you than praying inyourcourtyard, and praying in yourcourtyardis better for you than praying in the mosque ofyour people, and praying in the mosque of your people is better for you thanpraying in my mosque." 

Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb and by Shu’ayb al-Arna’oot in Tahqeeq al-Musnad. 

Secondly: 

If a woman prays in the mosque, it is better for her to be far away from the men, hence the back rows for woman are preferable to the front rows, because they are further away from the men. When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said salaam at the end of the prayer, he would stay where he was for a little while and would not move, to let the women leave so that the men would not mix with them. 

Muslim (440) narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allaah (S) (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best rows for men are at the front and the worst are at the back; and the best rows for women are at the back and the worst are at the front.” 

Thirdly: 

There is nothing wrong with a woman praying in a place where men can see her, such as al-Masjid al-Haraam (in Makkah) or the courtyard of the mosque, or wherever she needs to pray in the countryside and so on, so long as she covers all of her body, even her face and hands, according to the more correct view. That is because women are enjoined to cover their faces and hands in front of non-mahram men. The evidence for that is discussed in the answer to question no. 11774 and 21536. 

The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas were asked: 

Question: How should a woman pray if there are non-mahram men with her, for example in al-Masjid al-Haraam, and when travelling if there is no mosque on the road where women can pray? 

They replied: 

A woman is required to cover all of her body when praying, except the face and hands, but if she is praying where there are non-mahram men who can see her, then she has to cover all of her body including the face and hands. End quote. 

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (7/339). 

And Allaah knows best.

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 and well wisher in Islam

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