What is the ruling on praying the obligatory or Sunnah prayer individually when there is a congregation of women praying in the mosque?
Scholars differ concerning women praying in congregation:
Shafi'is, Hanbalis, and Zahiris: It is sunnah for them to pray in congregation, separate from men, whether led by a man or a woman, due to the generality of the hadiths and the actions of Aisha and Umm Waraqah. According to this view, it is not permissible for you to initiate a supererogatory prayer if the prescribed prayer has been established, nor a fard prayer separate from them. Rather, you must pray in congregation with them.
Hanafis and Malikis: Women should not pray in congregation. The Hanafis disliked it due to the potential for fitnah (strife/temptation), and the Malikis prohibited the validity of a woman leading prayer. According to this view, it is permissible for a woman to pray individually, separate from the congregation of women, whether for a supererogatory or a fard prayer.
The preponderant view is the first one, due to the generality of the evidence and the actions of Aisha and Umm Waraqah, even though it is better for a woman to pray in her home.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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