Is it permissible for a man and a woman to pray in congregation together, and how should they stand?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
There is no objection to a woman following a man in congregational prayer, even if he is a stranger to her, as long as no forbidden seclusion () results from it. The prescribed manner is for the woman to stand behind him, based on the of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him): "So I and the orphan stood behind him, and the old woman stood behind us." If she stands beside him, her prayer is valid, though it is contrary to the . This is forbidden if it leads to seclusion, due to the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying: "No man should be in seclusion with a woman unless there is a with her."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/47025
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 47025
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy