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'SALAH' FOR WOMEN
The method of 'Salah' described
earlier is for men. The 'Salah' as offered by women differs from that of men in
the following aspects. Women should be careful about what is required if them.
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Before they begin the 'Salah' women
should make sure that their whole body, execpt the face, the hands and the feet,
is covered with cloths.
Some women offer their 'Salah' with the hear on their head remaining uncovered.
Some have their wrists left uncovered.
Some women use scarf so thin or small that their hear tresses are visible
dangling down underneath. If, during the 'Salah' any part of the body, even if
it be equal to one-fourth, remains uncovered for a time during which one could
say
Sub'hana rabbi-al-Azim
there times, the 'Salah' itself would not be valid. However, should the
uncovered portion be less than that, 'Salah' would take place but the sin shall
stay.
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For women, making 'Salah' in the
room is better than doing it in the verandah and doing it in the verandah is
better than doing it in the courtyard.
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While starting the 'Salah', women
should not raise their hands upto their ears, instead, they should raise them
upto their shoulders, and that too, from within the scarf of or other outer warp
being used. Hands should not be taken out of the cover.
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When women fold their hands on the
chest, they should simply place the palm of their right hand on the back of the
left forehand. They should not fold their hands on the navel like men.
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In 'Ruku', women are not required to
straighten their backs fully like men. Women should bend less as compared to men
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In the position of 'Ruku' , men
should open up their fingers while placing them on the knees, but women are
required that they place their hands on the knees with fingers close together,
that is, there be no space between fingers.
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Women should not stand on legs
absolutely straight, instead, they should stand with knees slightly bent
forward.
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In 'Ruku', men are required to keep
their arms stretched, away from the sides. But women should stand with their
arms close to their sides.
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Women should stand with both feet
close together. Specially, both their knees should just about be joined
together. Let there be no separating distance between legs
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While doing 'Sajdah', the method
prescribed for men is that should not lower their chest until such time that
their method is not for women. They can, right form the start, lower their chest
and go for 'Sajdah'
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Women should do their 'Salah' in a
manner that the stomach-wall comes to rest against the thighs and the arms stay
close to the sides. In addition to that, woman do not have to position their
feet upright, instead, they should spread them on the floor sliding them out
towards the right.
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Men are prohibited to place their
elbows on the floor while making 'Salah'. But, women should place the whole arm,
including the elbows, on the floor.
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When sitting between 'Sajdah' and
when reciting
At-tahiyyat
sit on the left hip, slide both feet out to the right side and let the left foot
rest on the right calf of the leg.
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Men are required that they be
careful about keeping their fingers open when bending for 'Ruku', and keeping
them close together when in 'Sajdaj', and then leave them as they are during the
rest of the 'Salah' when they make no efforts either to close or open them, But,
it is required of women, under all conditions, that they keep fingers close
together, that is leave no space between them. This is required all along in 'Ruku',
in 'Sajdah' between two 'Sajdahs' and in the 'Qa'dahs'.
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It is 'Makruh' (reprehensible) for
women to make a 'Jam'ah' (congregation). The very act of offering their 'Salah'
alone is better for them. However, should 'Mahram' (members of the family) be
making their 'Salah' with 'Jama'ah' within the house, there is no harm if they
join in with them in the 'jama'ah'. But, in a situation like this, it is
necessary that they stand exactly behind men. They should never stand next to
them in the same row.
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