If only women and minor boys are present, who leads the congregational prayer?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Funerals

Book 7 · Issue 3 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The ruling according to the established school of thought (Madhab) is that neither group can lead the other; each group prays separately with a leader chosen from within their own group. Women should pray in a congregation with their Imam positioned in the middle of their ranks, a position explicitly stated by Ahmad. Abu Hanifa shares this view.

Supporting text

Al-Shafi'i holds that women should pray individually, such that no woman precedes another. However, if they pray in congregation, it is permissible.