Order of rows when men, boys, eunuchs, and women gather for prayer
Chapter on Imamate and Congregational Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
When men, boys, eunuchs (*khunatha*), and women assemble for prayer, the men stand first, then the boys, then the eunuchs, and finally the women. This order is established because the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed with the men forming a row, followed by the boys behind them.
Supporting text
Al-Hasan opined that if the group consists of three, one of whom is a woman, they should stand consecutively, one behind the other. This view is contradicted by the practice of the majority of scholars who follow the Sunnah, noting that Al-Hasan's view leads to a man standing alone, which is rejected by narrations concerning Wabisah and 'Ali ibn Shayban.