Is there a difference in how women and men perform the prayer (Salah)?

The basic principle is that women are like men in all religious rulings, except for what the evidence indicates is specific to them. Among these rulings are:

1. Prayer (Salah): There is no adhan (call to prayer) or iqama (second call to prayer) for her, and her entire body is awrah (private parts that must be covered) during prayer, except for her face.

2. Manner of Prayer: It is recommended for her to keep her limbs close to her body during bowing (ruku’) and prostration (sujud).

3. Congregational Prayer: It is recommended for her to pray in congregation with one of them leading, and she may recite aloud if no non-mahram men can hear her.

4. Going out to the Mosque: It is permissible for her to go out to pray with men, though her prayer in her home is better.

5. Differences in Congregational Prayer from Men: It is not as emphasized for them as it is for men. Her imam (leader) stands in their midst, and a woman stands behind a man, not beside him. The last rows for women are better than the first.