Does a Woman's Prayer Differ from a Man's Prayer?

 

Abu Ishaq Ibrahim ibn Qays ibn Sulayman al-Hadrami said:

"There are thirteen characteristics in which a woman's prayer differs from a man's prayer:

First: She is not required to give the adhān (call to prayer) or the iqāmah (call to stand for prayer).

Second: Congregational prayer is not obligatory upon her.

Third: She may not lead a man in prayer as his imam.

Fourth: She does not deliver the sermon (khutbah) to men.

Fifth: Her presence is not counted toward the congregation required for the Friday prayer (Jumu'ah).

Sixth: The Friday prayer is not obligatory upon her.

Seventh: If she leads women in prayer, she stands in the middle of their row.

Eighth: If something occurs during the prayer requiring attention, she claps her hands.

Ninth: She covers her head and her entire body except for her face and hands.

Tenth: During prayer, she keeps her limbs close together.

Eleventh: In prayer, she presses her abdomen against her thighs.

Twelfth: She lowers her voice in those parts of the prayer where a man would recite aloud.

Thirteenth: She stands behind the rows of men."

Selected from: "Masterpieces of the Righteous Predecessors" by Sheikh Nasser Al Sabi'ei.

Original reference: " Mukhtaṣar al-Khiṣāl, p. 196.".

Translated by: Bint Ibadh