What is the ruling on a man praying behind his wife if she is not leading the prayer and each of them is praying individually?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
A man praying next to a woman or behind her does not invalidate the prayer according to the majority of jurists from the Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools. It is considered disliked () if they are praying behind a single imam. However, if each is praying alone, the prayer is valid according to the general consensus of scholars from the four madhhabs. Abu Hanifa, on the other hand, holds that the prayer of one who is in line with her is invalid.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/59348
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 59348
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- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Read the full answer on Ftawy