The Congregation of Women

Question

In the book “‘Ilm al-Fiqh”, part two, in the section on the rulings of the muqtadi and the imam, paragraph 15: “If the congregation consists only of women, that is, the imam is also a woman, then the imam should stand in the middle of the followers, whether there is one follower or more. The correct view is that a congregation of women alone is not makruh but permissible.” Footnote [at this place]: “Our jurists write that a congregation of women alone is makruh.

Answer

In “al-‘Inaya Sharh al-Hidaya” on the margin of “Fath al-Qadir” (vol. 1, p. 250) it is written that the sunna status of the congregation of women has been abrogated. Something close to this is found in “Tabyin al-Haqa’iq”, “Nasb al-Raya”, Tahtawi and elsewhere. The reason for the karaha (disapproval) is mentioned in “al-Bahr”, “Kabiri” and “Bada’i‘”.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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