What is the ruling on a woman praying in the house's courtyard (the "hawsh")?

It is permissible for a woman to pray in the middle of a courtyard if she is covering what must be covered of her body. However, it is better and more rewarding for her to seek out more secluded places, further away from the sight of men, based on the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who said: "A woman's prayer in her house is better than her prayer in her chamber, and her prayer in her inner room (makhda') is better than her prayer in her house." The "makhda'" refers to a small room within a larger house, for greater seclusion.