Differences in Sunnah between men and women
Shaykh (Mufti) Ebrahim Desai (HA)
Question: Isn't the way the women pay different from man? Came across the ruling that speaks otherwise, please explain!
The way in which women pray is the same as the way in which men pray
Would u please tell me the proper way for women to sit, when we pray, also can you please differenciate the sitting position, from men.
Praise be to Allaah.
The way in which women pray is the same as the way in which men pray in every part of the prayer, prostration, sitting, and so on. This is based on the following evidence:
1 – The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Pray as you have seen me praying." Narrated by al-Bukhaari. This is addressed to both men and woman.
Shaykh al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
Everything that we have said above about the way in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) prayed applies equally to men and women. There is nothing narrated in the Sunnah which implies that women are exempted from any of that. Rather the general meaning of the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), "Pray as you have seen me praying," include women too.
Sifat Salaat al-Nabi, p. 189
2 – The general meaning of the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): "Women are the twin halves of men." Narrated by Abu Dawood, 204; al-Tirmidhi, 105, from the hadeeth of 'Aa'ishah. Also narrated by al-Daarimi, 764, from the hadeeth of Anas.
Al-'Ajlooni said: Ibn Qattaan said: The isnaad from 'Aa'ishah is da'eef (weak), but the isnaad from Anas is saheeh (sound).
Kashf al-Khafa', 1/248
Al-Khattaabi said: What we understand from this is: If something is said in the masculine, it is addressed to women too, except in cases where there is evidence to indicate that it applies only to women.
Some of the scholars said that a woman should not sit as a man sits (in prayer), and they quoted two da'eef (weak) hadeeths as evidence for that.
Al-Bayhaqi said:
Two da'eef hadeeth were narrated concerning that, the like of which cannot be taken as evidence.
The first is the hadeeth of 'Ata' ibn al-'Ajlaan from Abu Nadrah al-'Abdi from Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri, the companion of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), that he used to command the men to spread out their arms in their prostration and he used to tell the women to keep their arms close to their sides in their prostration. He used to tell the men to spread their left foot along the ground (and sit on it) and place the right foot upright during the tashahhud and he used to tell the women to sit, kneeling, on their heels." Then al-Bayyhaqi said: This is a munkar hadeeth.
The other is the hadeeth of Abu Mutee' al-Hakam ibn 'Abd-Allaah al-Balkhi from 'Umar ibn Dharr from Mujaahid from 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Umar who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "When a woman sits during the prayer she should place one thigh against the other and when she prostrates she should press her stomach against her thighs, compressing herself in the most concealing manner, for Allaah looks at her and says: 'O My angels, I call you to bear witness that I have forgiven her.'" Sunan al-Bayhaqi al-Kubra, 2/222.
This hadeeth is da'eef, because it was narrated by Abu Mutee' al-Balkhi.
Ibn Hajar said:
Ibn Mu'een said: He is nothing. On one occasion he said: He is da'eef. Al-Bukhaari said: He is da'eef. Al-Nasaa'i said: He is da'eef. Lisaan al-Mizaan, 2/334.
Ibn 'Adiyy said: It is clear that Abu Mutee' is da'eef in his ahaadeeth and everything that he narrated, and for most of his narrations there are no corroborating reports.
Al-Kaamil fi Du'afa' al-Rijaal, 2/214
A third hadeeth was narrated from Yazeed ibn Abi Habeeb, saying that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) passed by two women who were praying. He said: "When you prostrate, press some of your flesh to the ground, for women are not like men in that."
This was narrated by Abu Dawood in al-Maraaseel (p. 118) and by al-Bayhaqi (2/223).
This hadeeth is mursal, which is a category of da'eef (weak).
In al-Musannaf (1/242), Ibn Abi Shaybah narrated some reports from some of the salaf which suggest that there is a difference in the way women and men sit (in prayer), but the only evidence that counts is the words of Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Then he narrated from some of the salaf that the way in which men and women pray is the same.
Al-Bukhaari (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Umm al-Darda' used to sit in prayer as a man sits and she was a scholarly woman.
Al-Haafiz stated in Fath al-Baari that Abu'l-Darda' had two wives, both of whom were called Umm al-Darda'. The older one was a Sahaabiyyah and the younger one was a Taabi'iyyah. He suggested that the one who was referred to here by al-Bukhaari was the younger one.
And Allaah knows best.
Answer: In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu 'alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
Your query consists of two questions, namely:
1Is there a difference in the salat of men and women?
2Respond to the article that states "The way in which women pray is the same as the way in which men pray"
Hereunder, we wish to present answers to the above questions.
Is there a difference in the salat of men and women?
In Shari'a, many laws that apply to women are different to those that apply to men. Amongst these laws are the laws of salat. The variation that exists between the salat of men and women were prescribed by none other than Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam). This remained the practice of the entire ummah till this day and is also reflected in the verdicts and practices of the Sahaba and Tabi'un. The Ulama and Fuqaha of all four mazhahib, namely Hanafi, Maaliki, Shafi'ee and Hambali, have maintained the difference that exists between the salat of men and women. In the recent past, there has being a group amongst the muslims who call themselves "Ahlul Hadith", claim that the laws of salat are common to both men and women. Hence, they conclude that women should perform salat exactly as men do. They claim that the Hadith in which Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) states: "Perform salat as you see me perform salat" (Sahih Bukhari #631) is general and applies equally to both men and women. However, it should be realized that our own interpretation and logical inference of this Hadith cannot compare with the other Ahadith in which Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) clearly draws a difference between the salat of men and women, leaving aside the many verdicts and practices of Sahaba and those after them that are found in the collections of Hadith. The Muhadithun have dedicated separate chapters in their books outlining the salat of women such as Imam Ibn Abi Shayba, Imam Abdur Razaq and others.
In brief, this article will highlight the differences that exist in the salat of men and women which are substantiated from the Ahadith and the verdicts and practices of the Sahaba and those after them. Also, answers will be given to the objections raised by the "Ahlul Hadith" sect on this issue. We have not intended to gather all the Ahadith and verdicts of the Ulama on this topic. However, be assured that the relevant Ahadith and verdicts of the Ulama pertaining to this issue are mentioned with there references.
Shari'a has prescribed distinct laws for men and women in many issues pertaining to salat. Hereunder, are examples of a few:
1Men can lead women in salat but women cannot do so.
لن يفلح قوم ولوا أمرهم امرأة
Abu Bakrah narrates that Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Never will those people succeed who have appointed a women over them" (Sahih Bukhari, vol 2, pg 1052, Qadeemi)
ولا تؤمن امرأة رجلا
Jaabir bin Abdillah (radiyallaahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Know that a woman should not lead a man in salat" (Baihaqi Al-Kubra, vol 3, pg 90, Idaratut Talifaat Ashrafiyya)
2Men should say "Subhanallah" loudly for the purpose of correcting someone in salat, while women are only allowed to clap their hands.
التسبيح للرجال والتصفيق للنساء
Abu Huraira (radiyallaahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Tasbeeh is for men and clapping is for women" (Sahih Bukhari, vol 1, pg 160, Al-Mizaan)
3Jummu'ah salat is fardh upon men but not on women.
الجمعة حق واجب على كل مسلم في جماعة إلا أربعة : عبد مملوك أو امرأة أو صبي أو مريض
Tariq bin Shihab (radiyallaahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Jummu'ah in congregation is an obligatory duty upon every muslim except four: a slave, a woman, a child and one who is sick" (Mustadrak Al-Hakim-declared Sahih by Hakim and agreed by Dhahabi, vol 1, pg 425, #1062, Ilmiyya)
4The reward of congregational salat for men is twenty seven times more than that of an individual salat. Contrary to this, the more rewarding salat of a woman is that which is most concealed and performed within the confines of her home and of her innermost living quarters.
صلاة المرأة في مخدعها أفضل من صلاتها في بيتها و صلاتها في بيتها أفضل من صلاتها في حجرتها
Abdullah bin Mas'ood (radiyallaahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "The salat of a woman in her makhda' (partition) is better than her salat in her hujrah (chamber); and her salat in her hujrah is better than her salat in her bait (house)" (Sahih Ibni Khuzaimah, vol 3, pg 95, Al-Maktab al-Islami)
ما صلت امرأة من صلاة أحب إلى الله من أشد مكان في بيتها ظلمة
Abdullah bin Mas'ood (radiyallaahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "The most beloved salat to Allah of a woman is the one that she performs in the darkest spot of her home" (Majma' Al-Zawaaid- Hafidh Haythami has classified all the narrators as authentic, vol 2, pg 35, Maktaba Al-Qudsi)
5There is a big difference in the awrah of men and that of women in salat. Woman are required to cover their entire body including the hair and leaving only the face, hands and feet exposed, whereas this is not the requirement for the salat of men.
لا تقبل صلاة حائض إلا بخمار
Aysha (radiyallaahu anha) reports that Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Allah does not accept the salat of a woman without a scarf" (Mustadrak Al-Hakim-declared Sahih upon the conditions of Muslim by Hakim and agreed by Dhahabi, vol 1, pg 380, #917, Ilmiyya)
6Women are not allowed to call out the Azaan whereas men are encouraged to do so.
ليس على النساء أذان ولا إقامة
Ibn Umar (radiyallaahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "There is no Azaan and nor is there Iqamah upon women" (Baihaqi Al-Kubra, vol 1, pg 408, Idaratut Talifaat Ashrafiyya)
7Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) has not allowed women to raise their hands up to the ears in salat as men do.
رأيت أم الدرداء ترفع يديها في الصلاة حذو منكبيها
Abdu Rabbihi reports: "I saw Ummu Darda raising her hands up to her shoulders in salat" (Juz Raf'i Yadain by Bukhari, pg 66, #50, Dar Ibn Hazam)
يا وائل بن حجر إذا صليت فاجعل يديك حذاء أذنيك والمرأة تجعل يديها حذاء ثدييها
Waail bin Hujar (radiyallaahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "O Waail bin Hujar! When you perform salat, make your hands in line of the ears; and woman should make their hands in line of their breasts" (Majma' Al-Zawaaid, vol 9, pg 374, Maktaba Al-Qudsi)
8Woman cannot stand in the Saff (row) of men. They have to stand at the behind the men.
صليت أنا ويتيم في بيتنا خلف النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم وأمي أم سليم خلفنا
Anas (radiyallaahu anhu) reports: "An orphan and I performed salat behind Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and my mother, Ummu Sulaim, stood behind us" (Sahih Bukhari, vol 1, pg 236, #871, Dar Al-Fikr)
9Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) has clearly differentiated between the sajdah of men and women.
أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم مر على امرأتين تصليان فقال إذا سجدتما فضما بعض اللحم إلى الأرض فإن المرأة ليست في ذلك كالرجل
Yazid bin Abi Habib (radiyallaahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) once passed by two women who were performing salaat. He said: "When you make sajdah, attach your body to the ground, for indeed, women are not like men in this matter".(Maraseel of Abi Dawood, pg 118, #87, Muassasah Al-Risalah)
(The narrators in the above Hadith are reliable and not rejected-I'laau Al-Sunan, vol 3, pg 26, Idara Al-Quran)
10Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) has clearly differentiated between the sitting posture of men and women in salat.
عن عبد الله بن عمر قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا جلست المرأة في الصلوة وضعت فخذها على فخذها الاخرى وإذا سجدت الصقت بطنها في فخذيها كالستر ما يكون لها وان الله تعالى ينظر إليها ويقول يا ملائكتى اشهدكم انى قد غفرت لها
Abdullah Bin Umar (radiyallaahu anhu) reports that the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "When a women sits in salaat, she should place the thighs of one leg upon the thighs of the other and when she makes sajda, she should attach her belly to her thigh so that it is as concealing as possible, for indeed Allah Ta'ala looks at her saying: 'O my angels, I make you witness that I have indeed forgiven her". (Al-Baihaqi, vol 2, pg 223, Idara Al-Taleefaat)
(The above Hadith is reliable due to the fact that it is supported by many other Ahadith- I'laau Al-Sunan, vol 3, pg 33, Idara Al-Quran)
Verdicts and practices of Sahaba and Tabi'un with regards to a women's salat:
1
عن علي ، قال : إذا سجدت المرأة فلتحتفز ، ولتضم فخذيها
Ali (radiyallaahu anhu) said: "When a woman makes sajdah (prostrates) , she should practise ihtifaaz and keep her thighs close together" (Musannaf Ibni Abi Shayba, vol 2, pg 504, #2793, Al-Majlis al-Ilmi)
("Ihtifaaz": where a woman draws herself close together and leans onto one side by resting on their left buttocks and completely contracting themselves).
2
عن ابن عباس ؛ أنه سئل عن صلاة المرأة ؟ فقال : تجتمع وتحتفز
Ibn Abbas (radiyallaahu anhu) was asked about the salaah of a woman; he replied: "She must draw herself close together and do Ihtifaz" (Musannaf Ibni Abi Shayba, vol 2, pg 505, #2794, Al-Majlis al-Ilmi)
3
عن خالد بن اللجلاج ، قال : كن النساء يؤمرن أن يتربعن إذا جلسن في الصلاة ، ولا يجلسن جلوس الرجال على أوراكهن
Khalid bin lajlaaj reports: "Women were commanded to do tarabbu' when they sat in salah and that they should not sit like men on their buttocks" (Musannaf Ibni Abi Shayba, vol 2, pg 506, #2799, Al-Majlis al-Ilmi)
("Tarabbu'": to sit cross legged).
4
عن نافع ؛ أن صفية كانت تصلي وهي متربعة
Nafi' reports that Safiyya (radiyallaahu anha) used to perform salat while in the tarabbu' position. (Musannaf Ibni Abi Shayba, vol 2, pg 506, #2800, Al-Majlis al-Ilmi)
5
عن نافع ، قال : كن نساء ابن عمر يتربعن في الصلاة.
Nafi' reports: "The womenfolk of Ibn Umar would do tarabbu' while in salat" (Musannaf Ibni Abi Shayba, vol 2, pg 507, #2805, Al-Majlis al-Ilmi)
6
عن ابن عمر أنه سئل كيف كن النساء يصلين على عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : كن يتربعن ثم أمرن أن يحتفزن
Abdullah ibn Umar was asked: how women performed their salah during the era of Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam)? He replied: "Initially they performed tarabbu'. Then they were ordered to do Ihtifaz" (Sharh Musnad Abi Hanifa, pg 191, Ilmiyya)
(The chains of narrators in the above Hadith are authentic-I'laau Al-Sunan, vol 3, pg 27, Idara Al-Quran)
Note: This Hadith clearly indicates that the practice of "Tarabbu'" was abrogated and women not allowed to sit in the "Tarabbu'" posture anymore.
7
(قال الشيخ) رحمه الله وجماع ما يفارق المرأة فيه الرجل من احكام الصلوة راجع إلى الستر وهو انها مامورة بكل ماكان استر لها
Imam Baihaqi states: "All the laws of salat in which a woman differs from a man are based on the principle of satr (concealment) . This means that the women are instructed to do all that which is most concealing for them" (Sunan Al-Kubra al-Baihaqi, vol 2, pg 222, Idarat Al-Talifaat)
The statement of this great Muhadith, Imam Baihaqi, clearly indicates that there exists a difference in the salat of men and women.
8
المراة تخالف الرجل في افعال الصلاة
Shaykh Abdul Hayy Lucknawi states: "A woman differs from a man in the actions of salat" (Al-Si'aayah, vol 2, pg 205, Suhail Academy)
Answers to the proofs and objections of the "Ahlul Hadith":
Majority of the proofs presented in this article are taken from the book authored by Shaykh Albani titled "Sifat Salaat al-Nabi". This book contains many mistakes and was refuted by many Ulama throughout the world like the late Shaykh Hamud al-Tuwayjiri (d. 1992). In fact, the late Shaykh Bin Baaz and Shaykh Salih Al-Munajjid have also given rulings contrary to that which is in the book of Shaykh Albani regarding this issue. So, it seems as though Shaykh Albani was the only scholar claiming that there is no difference between the salat of men and women. Hereunder, is our response to the article:
ARTICLE STATES:
"Rather the general meaning of the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), "Pray as you have seen me praying," include women too"
RESPONSE:
1The interpretation of the above Hadith provided by Shaykh Albani was never given by any scholar of the past. Not a single traditional and expert commentator of Sahih Bukhari, including the likes of Ibn Hajar Asqalani, Allamah Aini, Ibn Battaal etc had given this interpretation. It is only Shaykh Albani that has given this interpretation and logically it will be incorrect for us to follow this interpretation of Shaykh Albani.
2It should be known that the interpretation by Shaykh Albani and his logical inference of this Hadith cannot be accepted at all, because it goes against other Ahadith in which Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) clearly draws a difference between the salat of men and women, aside from the many verdicts and practices of Sahaba and those after them that were mentioned above.
THE ARTICLE STATES:
"The general meaning of the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): "Women are the twin halves of men."
RESPONSE:
1This Hadith cannot be used to prove that women are like men in all aspects of Deen. The Ahadith above are sufficient evidence to show that men and women are not equal in all aspects of Deen. The meaning of the above Hadith is that women resemble men with regards to their body constitution. This is because Hawwa (alayhas salaam) was created from Adam (alayhis salam) and thereof the progeny of men and women began. (Ma'arif Al-Sunan, vol 1, pg 374, HM Saeed)
2Even if we had to accept this "principle" that women are like men in all aspects, then this principle only applies to those cases where there are no proofs indicating to the contrary. In the issue of women's salat, there are many Ahadith in which Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) differentiated between the salat of both genders. Surprisingly, this principle is stated in the article but has not being implemented.
3Not a single traditional Muhaddith and expert commentator of Hadith has interpreted the above Hadith as it is interpreted in this article. Thus, it will be illogical for us to accept this interpretation.
THE ARTICLE STATES:
The other is the hadeeth of Abu Mutee' al-Hakam ibn 'Abd-Allaah al-Balkhi from 'Umar ibn Dharr from Mujaahid from 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Umar who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "When a woman sits during the prayer she should place one thigh against the other and when she prostrates she should press her stomach against her thighs, compressing herself in the most concealing manner, for Allaah looks at her and says: 'O My angels, I call you to bear witness that I have forgiven her.'" Sunan al-Bayhaqi al-Kubra, 2/222.
this hadeeth is da'eef, because it was narrated by Abu Mutee' al-Balkhi.
RESPONSE:
According to the principles of "Hadith" laid down by the Fuqaha and Muhadithun, this Hadith can be relied on, since it is supported by many other Ahadith and verdicts of Sahaba, who were the students of Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam). It is supported by many "Shawahid" (a term of Usulul Hadith). (I'laau Al-Sunan, vol 3, pg 33, Idara Al-Quran)
THE ARTICLE STATES:
A third hadeeth was narrated from Yazeed ibn Abi Habeeb, saying that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) passed by two women who were praying. He said: "When you prostrate, press some of your flesh to the ground, for women are not like men in that."
This was narrated by Abu Dawood in al-Maraaseel (p. 118) and by al-Bayhaqi (2/223).
This hadeeth is mursal, which is a category of da'eef (weak).
RESPONSE:
1The issue of woman's salat is purely a fiqhi issue and has to be dealt with in the light of what the Fuqaha state. They were masters in understanding the meanings of the Ahadith as stated by the great Muhadith and student of Imam Bukhari, Imam Tirmizhi (rahimahullah) . The Fuqaha of all four mazhahib accept "Mursal" ahadith, but obviously with certain conditions (Athar Al-Hadith al-Shareef). Therefore, it will totally incorrect to blatantly state that "This hadeeth is mursal, which is a category of da'eef (weak)" indirectly inferring that this Hadith cannot be accepted.
We do not wish to go into the discussion of "Mursal" ahadith, since this is not the purpose of this article. However, all the narrators of the above Hadith are reliable and there is no reason to reject it as stated in I'laau Al-Sunan (vol 3, pg 26, Idara Al-Quran)
THE ARTICLE STATES:
In al-Musannaf (1/242), Ibn Abi Shaybah narrated some reports from some of the salaf which suggest that there is a difference in the way women and men sit (in prayer), but the only evidence that counts is the words of Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Then he narrated from some of the salaf that the way in which men and women pray is the same.
RESPONSE:
1It is incorrect to state "but the only evidence that counts is the words of Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)".This statement infers that the statements of Tabi'un and Ulama cannot be accepted. This is totally incorrect and goes against the teachings of the Quran and the Ahadith. Allah Ta'ala mentions in the Quran:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ
"O those who believe obey Allah and obey his messenger and those in authority amongst you" (Sura Nisa: 59)
Early commentators of Quran such as Ibn Abbas, Mujahid and Hasan Basri have stated that "those in authority amongst you" refer to the Fuhaqa and Ulama (Ma'arif Al-Quran). We are commanded to follow the teachings of Tabi'un and Ulama for there teachings are based on the Quran and Ahadith. The author of this article states that "only the words of Allah and Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) are the only evidence that count", then why does he quote from the writings of Shaykh Albani etc?
THE ARTICLE STATES:
In al-Musannaf (1/242), Ibn Abi Shaybah narrated some reports from some of the salaf which suggest that there is a difference in the way women and men sit (in prayer), but the only evidence that counts is the words of Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Then he narrated from some of the salaf that the way in which men and women pray is the same.
Al-Bukhaari (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Umm al-Darda' used to sit in prayer as a man sits and she was a scholarly woman.
Al-Haafiz stated in Fath al-Baari that Abu'l-Darda' had two wives, both of whom were called Umm al-Darda'. The older one was a Sahaabiyyah and the younger one was a Taabi'iyyah. He suggested that the one who was referred to here by al-Bukhaari was the younger one.
RESPONSE:
1In light of what the author of this article has written, it is incorrect for him to present the above narration as a proof. This is so, because he states that only the words of Allah and Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) count and here he presents the action of a Tabi'iyyah as proof.
2However, it is not sufficient enough to present the above narration regarding the action of Ummu Darda as proof, because there is a narration recorded by Imam Tahawi (rahimahullah) which states contrary to it. The Hadith is as follows:
قال رأيت أم الدرداء تصلي متربعة
Ibrahim bin Abi Ablah narrates: "I saw Ummu Darda performing salat in the Tarabbu' position" (Tuhfa Al-Akhyaar, vol 2, pg 338, Dar Balansiyya)
3The author of the article claims that Imam Ibn Abi Shayba recorded from the Salaf that the way in which men and women performed salat was the same. This is absolutely false and incorrect accusations labelled against this great Imam. He has never mentioned this in his "Musannaf". Not a single Salaf has mentioned that a woman will perform salat as a man performs salat.
The author of this article has probably relied on the book "Sifat Salat Al-Nabi" authored by Shaykh Albani. This is because the mistake made by Shaykh Albani in his book is the same mistake made by the author of this article. Shaykh Albani claimed that Ibrahim Nakha'ee said: "A woman will do as a man does in salat". He also adds that this narration has a sahih sanad (authentic chain of narrators).
However, this was not what Ibrahim Nakha'ee said and nor was this ever his view. The correction words of Ibrahim Nakha'ee that appear in Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba are:
عن إبراهيم ، قال : تقعد المرأة في الصلاة كما يقعد الرجل
"A woman will sat as a man sits in salat" (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba, #2804, Al-Majlis al-Ilmi)
Hereunder, are the interpolated words of Shaykh Albani:
كل ما تقدم من صفة صلاته صلى الله عليه وسلم يستوي فيه الرجال والنساء ولم يرد في السنة ما يقتض استثناء النساء من بعض ذلك بل إن عموم قوله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ( صلوا كما رأيتموني أصلي ) يشملهن وهو قول إبراهيم النخعي قال :
( تفعل المرأة في الصلاة كما يفعل الرجل )
أخرجه ابن أبي شيبة ( 1 / 75 / 2 ) بسند صحيح عنه
In conclusion we would like to mention that all the Ahadith mentioned in this article are sufficient to prove that there exists a difference between the salat of men and women and it would be incorrect to claim that the salat of both genders are common. We ask Allah Ta'ala to grant us sincerity and make this humble effort a means of exposing the truth.
And Allah knows best
Wassalam
Ml. Talha Desai,
Student Darul Iftaa
Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah
The Salah of a Believer in the Quran and Sunnah
Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq (HA)
Some people are of the view that all the laws of salah are common to both men and women, and that there is no difference between them. They also claim that the hadeeth 'Pray as you have seen me praying' is general and, therefore, should be applied equally to both men and women. It should be realised, however, that our own interpretation and logical inference of this hadeeth cannot compare with the other ahadeelh of the Messenger of Allah ( صلى الله عايه وسالم ) and the verdicts and practice of the Sahabah and Tabi'un ( رضئ الله عنهم ) quoted below.
The Shariah has ordained distinct rules for men and women in many important questions of salah. For example,
1Jumuah is fardh upon men but not on women, and the Eid prayer is wajib for men but again not for women.
Sayyiduna Tariq bin Shthab ( رضئ الله عنه ) reports that the Prophet ( صلى الله عايه وسالم ), said, 'Jumuah in congregation is an obligatory duty upon every Muslim except four people: a slave, a woman, a child, and one who is sick.''[ Abu Dawood 1067 and Hakim 1062. Hakim declared it saheeh and Dhahabi agreed]
Sayyidatuna Umm Atiyyah . says as part of a longer hadeeth, 'We have been forbidden from following funerals and there is no Jumuah upon us. [Ibn Khuzaimah 1722]
2The reward of congregational prayer for men is twenty seven times more than an individual prayer. Contrary to this, the more rewarding prayer of a woman is that which is most concealed and performed within the confines of her innermost living quarters.
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud ( رضئ الله عنه ) reports that the Prophet ( صلى الله عايه وسالم ) said, 'The prayer of a woman in her makhda' (partition) is better than her prayer in her hujrah (chamber), and her prayer in her hujrah is better than her prayer in her bait (house).' [Abu Dawood 570 and Ibn Khuzaimah 1690]
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah ( رضئ الله عنه ) narrates that the Prophet ( صلى الله عايه وسالم ) said, The most beloved salah to Allah of a woman is one that she performs in the darkest spot of her home.' [Ibn Khuzaimah 1691, and Tabarani in al M'ujam al Kabeer as mentioned by Hafidh Haithami 2/35. Hafidh Haithami also says that its narrators are authentic.]
3Unlike men women should not give adhan or say the iqamah.
Sayyidatuna Asmaa (R) narrates as part of a longer hadeeth that the Prophet ( صلى الله عايه وسالم ) said, 'There is no adhan iqamah or Jumuah upon women.' [Baihaqi 1921. 543 Baihaqi 1920.]
Sayyidatuna Ibn Umar (R) says 'There is no adhan or iqamah upon women.'543
4There is a great difference in the awrah of a man and that of a woman in salah. Women must cover their entire body including the hair, leaving only the face, hands and feet exposed.
Ummul Mu'mineen Aisha (R) reports that the Prophet ( صلى الله عايه وسالم ) said, 'Allah does not accept the salah of a mature female without a scarf.' [Ahmad 24012, Ibn Majah 655, Abu Dawood 641, Tirmidhi 377, Ibn Khuzaiir 775, Hakim 917 and Baihaqi 3254. Hakim declared it saheeh and Dhahabi agreed.]
5Women cannot lead men in salah.
Abu Bakrah (رضئ الله عنه ) reports that the Prophet ( صلى الله عايه وسالم ) said 'Never will those people succeed who have appointed a woman over them.' [Ahmad 19507, Bukhari 4163, Tirmidhi 2262 and Nasai 5388.]
Jabir bin Abdullah (رضئ الله عنه ) reports as part of a longer hadeeth that the Prophet ( صلى الله عايه وسالم ) said, Know that a woman should not lead a man in salah.' [Ibn Majah 1081 and Baihaqi 5131]
6For the purpose of correcting or deterring someone in salah men should say 'subhanallah' loudly, whilst women are only allowed to clap their hands.
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (رضئ الله عنه ) reports that the Prophet ( صلى الله عايه وسالم ) said, 'Tasbeeh is for men, and clapping is for women.' [Bukhari 1145.]
The different postures, positions and rulings concerning the prayers of the female are not the invention of a group or an individual but teaching of the Prophet ( صلى الله عايه وسالم ) himself. He was the very first person differentiate between the prayer of a man and a woman.
Yazid bin Abi Habib reports that the Prophet ( صلى الله عايه وسالم ) passed by two women who were praying salah. He said, 'When you prostrate, let part of your body cling to the earth, for women are unlike men in this regard'. [Abu Dawood in his al Maraseel pl8 (Muassasah al Risalah edition), and Baiha 3201.
Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (رضئ الله عنه ) narrates that the Prophet ( صلى الله عايه وسالم ) said, 'When a woman sits in salah she should place one thigh over the other, and when she prostrates she should press her stomach to her thighs in a manner that is the most concealing for her. Indeed Allah looks at her saying, "Oh my angels! I make you witness that I have forgiven her." [Baihaqi 3199. He also declared it dhaeef]
Sayyiduna Wail bin Hujr ( رضئ الله عنه ) reports that the Prophet ( صلى الله عايه وسالم ) said, 'Oh Ibn Hujr! When you pray make your hands level with your ears. And the woman shall raise her hands close to her bosom.' [Tabarani in al M'ujam al Kabeer 22/19 no.28. Hafidh Haithami says 2/103, 'Tabarani has narrated it as part of a long hadeeth on the virtue of Wail bin Hujr 4fc with a chain of Maimoonah bint Hujr narrating from her auntie Umm Yahya bint Abdul Jabbar. I have not identified her but the rest of the narrators are reliable.']
We derive some very important and fundamental principles about the prayer of a woman from all the above ahadeeth.
aThe laws of salah are not always the same for men and women.
bThe sunnah posture of a female in any position of salah is that which is the most concealing for her.
Imam Baihaqi says,
'All of the laws of salah in which a woman differs from a man are based on the principle of satr (concealment). This means that the woman is instructed to do all that which is more concealing for her. The following chapters of hadeeth explain this meaning in detail.' [Baihaqi 2/314]
As mentioned earlier, this variation in the salah of a woman has been prescribed by none other than the Prophet ( صلى الله عايه وسالم ) himself. It has remained the practice of the whole ummah till this day and is also reflected in the rulings of the Sahabah and Tabi'un. The ulama and fuqaha of all four schools have always recognised this difference and, as is evident in their books of fiqh, have always observed the above principles whenever making a ruling about the salah of a woman. Following are a few narrations detailing the verdicts and practice of the Sahabah & together with the verdicts of some of the Tabi 'un and the ulama of the different schools of fiqh:
Verdicts and practice of the Sahabah ( رضئ الله عنهم ):
Khalid bin al Lajlaaj reports as part of a longer hadeeth that women were ordered to do tarabb'u (i.e., to draw out one's right leg towards the right side of the body and to place the left leg beneath the right leg) when sitting in salah. [Ibn Abi Shaibah 2783.]
Nafi' narrates that Safiyyah ( رضئ الله عنها ) would pray and do tarabb'u.[Abdul Razzaq 5074 and Ibn Abi Shaibah 2784.]
Nafi' also narrates that the womenfolk of Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar's (رضئ الله عنه ) family would do tarabb'u. [Ibn Abi Shaibah 2789.]
Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (رضئ الله عنه ) was once asked, 'How did women pray their salah during the time of the Prophet ( صلى الله عايه وسالم ) ' He replied, 'They used to sit cross legged until they were told to practice ihtifaz [Narrated by all three, Abu Muhammad al Bukhari, Qadhi Umar bin al Hasan Ashnani, and Ibn Khusruw in their Musnads of Imam Abu Hanifah's ahadeeth Ihtifaz is to lean to one side and rest on the posterior. It is more or less the same a sadl.]
Sayyiduna Ali (رضئ الله عنه ) says, 'When a woman prostrates she should do ihtifaz and press her thighs together.', and in Abdul Razzaq's narration 'press her thighs against her stomach.' [Abdul Razzaq 5072 and Ibn Abi Shaibah 2777. Muhaddith Dhafar Ahmad Uthmani 3/32 has declared it hasan.]
Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas ( رضئ الله عنه ) was asked about the prayer of a woman. He replied, 'She should pull herself close together and do ihtifaz.' [Ibn Abi Shaibah 2778.]
Verdicts of the Tabi'un and other ulama:
Ibn Jurayj reports, 'I asked Ataa: "Should a woman motion with her hands at the time of takbeer as a man does?" he replied, "She should not raise her hands with takbeer in the manner of men." Ataa then demonstrated (the way in which she should.) He placed his hands very low and then pulled them towards him. He then said, "The posture of a woman in salah is not that of a man." [Abdul Razzaq 5066 and Ibn Abi Shaibah 2474.]
Ataa also says, 'A woman should pull herself together when she bows down into ruk'u: she should bring up her arms to her stomach and pull herself together as much as possible. When she prostrates she should bring up her arms close to her and press her bosom and stomach against her thighs: she should pull herself together as much as possible. [Abdul Razzaq 5069.]
Hasan al Basri says, 'A woman should pull herself close together in sujud.' [Ibn Abi Shaibah 2781.]
Hasan and Qatadah both say, 'When a woman prostrates she should pull herself together as much as possible. She should not allow for any space between her limbs so that her posterior is not raised.' [Abdul Razzaq 5068.]
One certain author has argued that all the descriptions of the Prophet's ( صلى الله عايه وسالم ) prayer are equally applicable to both men and women and there is nothing in the sunnah that excludes women from any of them. Insha Allah the contents of this chapter will answer that claim. The author then goes on to say that this is the view of Ibrahim al Nakhai who said, 'A woman's actions in the prayer are the same as a man's.' - transmitted by Ibn Abi Shaibah (1/75/2), with a saheeh sanad from him.
This is not what Ibrahim al Nakhai said at all nor is it his view. His narration transmitted by Ibn Abi Shaibah actually reads, 'A woman will sit in salah just as a man does.' [Ibn Abi Shaibah 1/242, no 2788]. This somehow has been misquoted as 'A woman's actions in the prayer are the same as a man's.'!
In fact, Ibrahim al Nakhai's other narrations quite clearly contradict the above report. His view about the prayer of a woman as reported by Ibn Abi Shaibah and others is as follows:
Ibrahim al Nakhai says, 'When a woman prostrates she should press her stomach against her thighs. She should not raise her posterior nor should she allow for any space or distance between the limbs of her body as a man does.' [Abdul Razzaq 5071 and Ibn Abi Shaibah 2782.]
He also says, 'When a woman prostrates she should bring her thighs together and press her abdomen to them.' [Ibn Abi Shaibah 2779.]
He also says, 'A woman should sit to one side in salah.' [Abdul Razzaq 5077 and Ibn Abi Shaibah 2792.]
Imam Baihaqi says,
'All of the laws of salah in which a woman differs from a man are based on the principle of satr (concealment). This means that the woman is instructed to do all that which is more concealing for her. The following chapters of hadeeth explain this meaning in detail.' [Baihaqi 2/314]
Ibn Qudamah al Maqdisi al Hanbali quotes Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal in his al Mughni as saying, 'I consider sadl (To draw out the right leg to one side of the body and place the left leg beneath one's right thigh. In this way the posterior will come to rest on the ground rather than on the left leg. She would, therefore, not be resting on her legs, but on her posterior as mentioned in the narration of Sayyiduna Ali (رضئ الله عنه )) to be better for a woman.' He also qoutes the narration of Sayyiduna Ali ( رضئ الله عنه ) who says, 'When a woman prays salah she should do ihtifaz and press her thighs together.' [Ibn Qudamah in al Mughni 2/135.]
Imam Ahmad was asked about how a woman should prostrate and sit for tashahhud. He replied, 'She should do whatever is more concealing for her.' He added, 'She should do tarabb'u in tashahhud and draw her legs to one side (sadl).' [Masaail of Imam Ahmad narrated by his son Abdullah 373.]
According to the narration of Abu Dawood, Imam Ahmad was asked about how a woman should sit in salah. He replied, 'She should press her thighs together.' [Masaail of Imam Ahmad narrated by Abu Dawood p51.]
Qadhi Iyadh has also quoted from some Salaf that the sunnah for women is tarabb'u. [Awjaz al Masalik 2/119.]
All the above quite clearly demonstrates that the prayer of a woman is different in some aspects from that of a man, and that this distinction was first made by none other than the Prophet ( صلى الله عايه وسالم ), and then maintained by the prominent Sahabah and Tabi'un. Furthermore, as can be seen in their works, there is almost universal agreement amongst the scholars of all schools of fiqh on this issue.
List of differences between the prayer of a man and a woman.
Some of the differences as mentioned in the Hanafi books of fiqh are listed below.
In all the postures and movements of salah, including qiyam, ruk'u, sajdah, and tashahhud a woman should adopt that which is the most modest and concealing for her.
At the beginning of salah a woman should not raise her hands to her ears but only to her shoulders or close to her bosom. [Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal also says that she should raise them slightly and, according to one narration, she should not raise them at all.]
In qiyam, women are to place their hands on their bosoms. They can fasten them in any one of the different ways 'akdh' (grasping) or 'wadh' (placing) described in part two, or they can simply rest the right palm on the left one.
Unlike men, in ruk'u, women should tuck their arms into the body and not spread them outward. They should also merely place their hands over their knees with closed fingers, and not grasp them with the fingers spread wide open.(In some books of Hanafi fiqh it has been suggested that in ruk'u they should also bend their backs and knees slightly. The Hanbali scholar Imam Khirqi also says as part of a longer statement, 'The woman should gather herself in ruk'u and sujud.' (al Mughni 1/134.) In fact, women should try to keep their fingers close together in all the postures of salah.
During prostration men should allow for some space and distance between their stomachs and thighs, and arms and the side of the body, whilst women should press these limbs together.
Again in prostration, men should raise their arms off the ground and allow for some distance but women should let them cling to the ground.
During the sitting of tashahhud, men are to rest on their legs and raise their right foot with the toes facing qiblah, whereas women are to take out both their legs towards the right hand side of the body and rest on the posterior without raising their right foot.
Practice & Fatwa of the Sahaba (RA), Tabaeen & the Salaf:
Here is the practise and Fatwa of Sahaba (RA) and Kibar of the Taba'een from Musnaf Abi Shaybah in a chapter entitled, "How would the Women be in Her Sajdah?"
Since most of it has already been incorporated above, there is no need for translation.
( 43 ) الْمَرْأَةُ كَيْفَ تَكُونُ فِي سُجُودِهَا ؟ ( 1 ) حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ قَالَ : حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْأَحْوَصِ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ عَنْ الْحَارِثِ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ قَالَ : إذَا سَجَدَتْ الْمَرْأَةُ فَلْتَحْتَفِرْ وَلْتَضُمَّ فَخِذَيْهَا . ( 2 ) حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ قَالَ : نا أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْمُقْرِي عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَيُّوبَ عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ حَبِيبٍ عَنْ بُكَيْر بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْأَشَجِّ عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّهُ سُئِلَ عَنْ صَلَاةِ الْمَرْأَةِ فَقَالَ : تَجْتَمِعُ وَتَحْتَفِرُ . ( 3 ) حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ قَالَ : نا أَبُو الْأَحْوَصِ عَنْ مُغِيرَةَ عَنْ إبْرَاهِيمَ قَالَ : إذَا سَجَدَتْ الْمَرْأَةُ فَلْتَضُمَّ فَخِذَيْهَا وَلْتَضَعْ بَطْنَهَا عَلَيْهِمَا . ( 4 ) حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ قَالَ : نا جَرِيرٌ عَنْ لَيْثٍ عَنْ مُجَاهِدٍ أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَكْرَهُ أَنْ يَضَعَ الرَّجُلُ بَطْنَهُ عَلَى فَخِذَيْهِ إذَا سَجَدَ كَمَا تَضَعُ الْمَرْأَةُ ( 5 ) حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ قَالَ : نا ابْنُ مُبَارَكٍ عَنْ هِشَامٍ عَنْ الْحَسَنِ قَالَ : الْمَرْأَةُ تَضْطَمُّ فِي السُّجُودِ . ( 6 ) حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ قَالَ : نا وَكِيعٌ عَنْ سُفْيَانَ عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ عَنْ إبْرَاهِيمَ قَالَ : إذَا سَجَدَتْ الْمَرْأَةُ فَلْتَلْزَقْ بَطْنَهَا بِفَخِذَيْهَا وَلَا تَرْفَعْ عَجِيزَتَهَا وَلَا تُجَافِي كَمَا يُجَافِي الرَّجُلُ .
Al-Mughni (the Most Authoritative Text of Hanbali Madhab):
The text clearly states that the paryer of man and woman is the same EXCEPT that a woman would draw herself closer together in Ruku and Sujood (in Tabarru or Tasdul) and she would draw both feet to her right.
( 783 ) مَسْأَلَةٌ : قَالَ وَالرَّجُلُ وَالْمَرْأَةُ فِي ذَلِكَ سَوَاءٌ ، إلَّا أَنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ تَجْمَعُ نَفْسَهَا فِي الرُّكُوعِ وَالسُّجُودِ وَتَجْلِسُ مُتَرَبِّعَةً أَوْ تَسْدُلُ رِجْلَيْهَا فَتَجْعَلُهُمَا فِي جَانِبِ يَمِينِهَا . الْأَصْلُ أَنْ يَثْبُتَ فِي حَقِّ الْمَرْأَةِ مِنْ أَحْكَامِ الصَّلَاةِ مَا يَثْبُتُ لِلرِّجَالِ ؛ لِأَنَّ الْخِطَابَ يَشْمَلُهَا ، غَيْرَ أَنَّهَا خَالَفَتْهُ فِي تَرْكِ التَّجَافِي ، لِأَنَّهَا عَوْرَةٌ ، فَاسْتُحِبَّ لَهَا جَمْعُ نَفْسِهَا ، لِيَكُونَ أَسْتَرَ لَهَا ، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يُؤْمَنُ أَنْ يَبْدُوَ مِنْهَا شَيْءٌ حَالَ التَّجَافِي . وَكَذَلِكَ فِي الِافْتِرَاشِ ، قَالَ أَحْمَدُ : وَالسَّدْلُ أَعْجَبُ إلَيَّ . وَاخْتَارَهُ الْخَلَّالُ . قَالَ عَلِيٌّ ، كَرَّمَ اللَّهُ وَجْهَهُ : إذَا صَلَّتْ الْمَرْأَةُ فَلْتَحْتَفِزْ وَلْتَضُمَّ فَخِذَيْهَا . وَعَنْ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا ، أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَأْمُرُ النِّسَاءَ أَنْ يَتَرَبَّعْنَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ .
Salaf on Mursal Ahadeeth
Another objection is the use of Mursal Ahadeeth and on this issue we (Hanafees) take the opinion of Salaf like Imam Malik (RA) & Imam Abu Haneefa (RA) while Shaykh Al-Albani (RA) takes the position of Ibn-Hazm (RA) (curiously against the opinion of Shaykh Ibn Taymiyah (RA)).
Which-ever position of the Salaf you take i.e.:
aPosition of Imam Malik (RA) & Imam Abu Haneefa (RA): Mursal of a trustworthy person is valid as proof and as justification for a practice, just like a musnad hadith
bPosition of Imam Shaf'ae (RA): Detailed below
cPosition of Imam Ahmed Ibn Hanbal (RA): accepts mursal and (other) da'if (weak) ahadith if nothing opposing them is found regarding a particular issue, preferring them to qiyas (analogical deduction)
dImam Abu Dawud (RA): accepts the Mursal under two conditions: that no musnad hadith is found regarding that issue; or that if a musnad hadith is found, it is not contradicted by the mursal hadith
You CANNOT categorically reject the evidence; the only way to REJECT the evidence is to diverge from the opinion of the Salaf and take the position of Shaykh Ibn Hazm (RA) [a Khalaf] & later supported by Shaykh Al-Albani (RA).
Before proceeding I would like to point out that the 2nd Hadeeth of Saheeh Bukhari is Mursal i.e. Aisha (RA) is narrating events which happened BEFORE her birth or when she was very young so Shaykh Ibn Hazm's outright rejection of Maraseel has serious implications and I don't know Shaykh Al-Albani (RA)'s FULL position on Maraseel so can't comment...
Volume 1, Book 1, Number 2: Narrated 'Aisha: (the mother of the faithful believers) Al-Harith bin Hisham asked Allah's Apostle "O Allah's Apostle! How is the Divine Inspiration revealed to you?" Allah's Apostle replied, "Sometimes it is (revealed) like the ringing of a bell, this form of Inspiration is the hardest of all and then this state passes ' off after I have grasped what is inspired. Sometimes the Angel comes in the form of a man and talks to me and I grasp whatever he says." 'Aisha added: Verily I saw the Prophet being inspired Divinely on a very cold day and noticed the Sweat dropping from his forehead (as the Inspiration was over).
Authenticity of the Mursal Hadith:
There has been a great deal of discussion amongst the scholars regarding the authenticity of the Mursal Hadith (pl. Marasil), since it is quite probable that a Successor might have omitted two names, those of an elder Successor and a Companion, rather than just one name, that of a Companion.
If the Successor is known to have omitted the name of a Companion only, then the hadith is held to be authentic, for a Successor can only report from the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) through a Companion; the omission of the name of the Companion does not affect the authenticity of the isnad since all Companions are held to be trustworthy and reliable, by both Qur'anic injunctions and sayings of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).
However, opinions vary in the case where the Successor might have omitted the names of two authorities (since not all the Successors were reliable in matters of Hadith). For example, two widely-differing positions on this issue are:
the Marasil of elder Successors such as Sa'id b. al-Musayyab (d. 94) and 'Ata' b. Abi Rabah (d. 114) are acceptable because all their Marasil, after investigation, are found to come through the Companions only. However, the Marasil of younger Successors are only acceptable if the names of their immediate authorities are known through other sources; if not, they are rejected outright.
the Marasil of Successors and those who report from them are acceptable without any investigation at all. This opinion is supported by the Kufi school of traditionists, but is severely attacked by the majority.
To be precise in this issue, let us investigate in detail the various opinions regarding the Mursal Hadith:
The opinion held by Imam Malik and all Maliki jurists is that the Mursal of a trustworthy person is valid as proof and as justification for a practice, just like a musnad hadith (Yusuf b. 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abdul Barr, Tajrid al- Tamhid lima fi l-Muwatta' min al-Asanid (Cairo, 1350), 1:2.) This view has been developed to such an extreme that to some of them, the mursal is even better than the musnad, based on the following reasoning: "the one who reports a musnad hadith leaves you with the names of the reporters for further investigation and scrutiny, whereas the one who narrates by way of Irsal, being a knowledgeable and trustworthy person himself, has already done so and found the hadith to be sound. In fact, he saves you from further research." [ibid.]
Imam Abu Hanifah (d. 150) holds the same opinion as Malik; he accepts the Mursal Hadith whether or not it is supported by another hadith.[al-Suyuti, 1:198.]
Imam al-Shafi'i (d. 204) has discussed this issue in detail in his al-Risalah; he requires the following conditions to be met before accepting a mursal hadith:
In the narrative, he requires that one of the following conditions be met: that it be reported also as musnad through another isnad; that its contents be reported as mursal through another reliable source with a different isnad; that the meaning be supported by the sayings of some Companions; or that most scholars hold the same opinion as conveyed by the mursal hadith.
Regarding the narrator, he requires that one of the following conditions be met: that he be an elder Successor; that if he names the person missing in the isnad elsewhere, he does not usually name an unknown person or someone not suitable for reporting from acceptably; or that he does not contradict a reliable person when he happens to share with him in a narration. [For the discussion in detail, see al-Shafi'i, al-Risalah (ed. Ahmad Shakir, Cairo, 1358/1940, pp. 461-470; English translation: M. Khadduri, 2nd ed., Islamic Texts Society, Cambridge, 1987, pp. 279-284, where the mursal hadith has been translated as "interrupted tradition").]
On the basis of these arguments, al-Shafi'i accepts the Irsal of Sa'id b. al-Musayyab, one of the elder Successors. For example, al- Shafi'i considers the issue of selling meat in exchange for a living animal: he says that Malik told him, reporting from Zaid b. Aslam, who reported from Ibn al-Musayyab that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) forbade the selling of meat in exchange for an animal. He then says, "This is our opinion, for the Irsal of Ibn al-Musayyib is fine." [.al-Suyuti, 1:199; Muhammad b. Mustafa al- Ghadamsi, Al-Mursal min al-Hadith (Darif Ltd., London, N.D.), p.71.]
Imam Ahmad b. Hanbal (d. 241) accepts mursal and (other) da'if (weak) ahadith if nothing opposing them is found regarding a particular issue, preferring them to qiyas (analogical deduction). By da'if here is meant ahadith which are not severely weak, e.g. batil, munkar, or maudu', since Imam Ahmad classified ahadith into sahih and da'if rather than into sahih, hasan and da'if, the preference of most later traditionists. Hence, the category da'if in his view applied to ahadith which were relatively close to being sahih, and included many ahadith which were classed as hasan by other scholars.(Ibn al-Qayyim, I'lam al-Muwaqqi'in (2nd ed., 4 vols. in 2, Dar al-Fikr, Beirut, 1397/1977), 1:31.) Overlooking this fact has caused misunderstanding about Imam Ahmad's view on the place of da'if ahadith in rulings of Fiqh and in matters of Fada'il al-A'mal (virtues of various acts of worship).
Ibn Hazm (d. 456) rejects the Mursal Hadith outright; he says that the Mursal is unacceptable, whether it comes through Sa'id b. al-Musayyib or al-Hasan al-Basri. To him, even the Mursal which comes through someone who was not well-known to be amongst the Companions would be unacceptable.[Ibn Hazm, Al-Ihkam fi Usul al-Ahkam (Matba'ah al-Sa'adah, Cairo, 1345), 2:135.]
Abu Dawud (d . 275) accepts the Mursal under two conditions: that no musnad hadith is found regarding that issue; or that if a musnad hadith is found, it is not contradicted by the mursal hadith. [Al-Hazimi, Shurut al-A'immah al-Khamsah (ed. M.Z. al-Kauthari, Cairo, N.D.), p. 45.]
Ibn Abi Hatim (d. 327) does not give a specific opinion about the Mursal Hadith. However, he did collect an anthology of 469 reporters of hadith, including four female reporters, whose narratives were subjected to criticism due to Irsal. This collection is known as Kitab al-Marasil.
Al-Hakim (d. 405) is extremely reluctant to accept the Mursal Hadith except in the case of elder Successors. He holds, on the basis of the Qur'an, that knowledge is based on what is heard (directly), not on what is reported (indirectly). In this regard, he quotes Yazid b. Harun who asked Hammad b. Laith: "O Abu Isma'il! Did Allah mention the Ahl al-Hadith (scholars of Hadith) in the Qur'an?" He replied, "Yes! Did you not hear the saying of Allah, If a party from every expedition remained behind, they (According to the different interpretations of this verse, "they" here could refer to those who stay behind, or those who go forth.) could devote themselves to studies in religion and admonish the people when they return to them, that thus they may guard themselves (against evil)' (Qur'an, 9:l22). This concerns those who set off to seek knowledge, and then return to those who remained behind in order to teach them." (al-Hakim, p. 26.) Al-Hakim then remarks, "This verse shows that the acceptable knowledge is the one which is being heard, not just received by way of Irsal." (ibid.)
Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi (d. 462) strongly supports the view of those who reject the Mursal except if it comes through an elder Successor. He concludes, after giving a perusal of different opinions about this issue, "What we select out of these sayings is that the Mursal is not to be practised, nor is it acceptable as proof. We say that Irsal leads to one reporter being ambiguous; if he is ambiguous, to ascertain his reliability is impossible. We have already explained that a narration is only acceptable if it comes through a reporter known for reliability. Hence, the Mursal should not be accepted at all." [Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi, Al-Kifayah fi 'Ilm al- Riwayah (Hyderabad, 1357), p. 387.]
Al-Khatib gives the following example, showing that a narrative which has been reported through both musnad and mursal isnads is acceptable, not because of the reliability of those who narrated it by way of Irsal but because of an uninterrupted isnad, even though it contains less reliable reporters:
The text of the hadith is: "No marriage is valid except by the consent of the guardian"; al- Khatib gives two isnads going back to Shu'bah and Sufyan al-Thauri; the remainder of each isnad is:
Sufyan al-Thauri and Shu'bah --- Abu Ishaq --- Abu Burdah --- the Prophet.
This isnad is mursal because Abu Burdah, a Successor, narrates directly from the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). However, al-Khatib further gives three isnads going back to Yunus b. Abi Ishaq, Isra'il b. Yunus and Qais b. al-Rabi'; the remainder of the first isnad is:
Yunus b. Abi Ishaq --- Abu Ishaq --- Abu Burdah --- Abu Musa --- the Prophet.
The other two reporters narrate similarly, both of them including the name of Abu Musa, the Companion from whom Abu Burdah has reported. Al- Khatib goes on to prove that both al-Thauri and Shu'bah heard this hadith from Abu Ishaq in one sitting while the other three reporters heard it in different sittings. Hence, this addition of Abu Musa in the isnad is quite acceptable. [ibid., pp. 411-413.]
Ibn al-Salah (d. 643) agrees with al-Shafi'i in rejecting the Mursal Hadith unless it is proved to have come through a musnad route. [Zain al-Din al-'Iraqi, Al-Taqyid wa 'l-Idah Sharh Muqaddimah Ibn al-Salah (al-Maktabah al- Salafiyyahh, Madinah, 1389/1969), p. 72]
Ibn Taimiyyah (d. 728) classifies Mursal into three categories. He says, "There are some acceptable, others unacceptable, and some which require further investigation: if it is known that the reporter does so (i.e. narrates by Irsal) from reliable authorities, then his report will be accepted; if he does so from both classes of authorities, i.e. reliable and unreliable, we shall not accept his narration (on its own, without further investigation), for he is narrating from someone whose reliability is unknown; all such mursal ahadith which go against the reports made by reliable authorities will be rejected completely." [Ibn Taymiyyah, Minhaj al-Sunnah an-Nabawiyyah fi Naqd Kalam al-Shi'ah wa 'l-Qadariyyah (al- Maktabah al-Amiriyyah, Bulaq, 1322), 4:117.]
Al-Dhahabi (d. 748) regards the Mursal of younger Successors such as al-Hasan al-Basri, al- Zuhri, Qatadah and Humaid al-Tawil as the weakest type of Mursal. [Al-Dhahabi, Al-Muqizah (Maktab al-Matbu'at al- Islamiyyah, Halab, 1405), p. 40.]
Later scholars such as Ibn Kathir (d. 744), al- 'Iraqi (d. 806), Ibn Hajar (d. 852), al-Suyuti (d. 911), Muhammad b. Ibrahim al-Wazir (d. 840), Jamal al-Din al-Qasimi (d. 1332) and Tahir al- Jaza'iri (d. 1338) have given exhaustive discussions about this issue, but none of them holds an opinion different to those mentioned above.
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