The woman's prayer: specifics and concessions

The woman prays with the same gestures and the same times as the man; the specificities concern the clothing and the place in the rows.

Covering for prayer

Allah commands: "wear your adornment at every prayer" (7:31). 'Aisha reports that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

Allah does not accept the prayer of a menstruating woman without a head-cover.Abu Dawud 641, at-Tirmidhi 377

The jurists generalize the rule: the praying woman's body must be covered, except the face and, according to the majority, the hands. The veil is not a comfort option: it belongs to the conditions of the prayer's clothing.

The woman in the men's row at prayer

What if a woman stands in the men's row? Two views are reported. The Hanafis and one way of Ahmad: her prayer remains valid, but the prayer of the man at her right, at her left, behind her or beside her is spoiled. The Malikis, Shafi'is and Hanbalis: her prayer and everyone's remain valid; 'Aisha narrates that she would pass in front of the Prophet while he prayed, even lying asleep at his side, without him invalidating his prayer.

Practical note on the woman's prayer

The woman prays in covering clothing, behind the men's rows when she prays at the mosque, and her prayer at home is fully valid. The ease lies on the side of the home: the woman's prayer at her house is never a shortcoming.