The obligation of prayer for men and women
Question
Was prayer prescribed for both men and women?
Answer
Prayer is obligatory upon every mukallaf (legally accountable person). A mukallaf, as stated by the eminent scholar Ibn ʿAbidin, is a Muslim who is adult and sane, including both males and females. The obligation of prayer upon all legally accountable persons has been firmly established through the following sources:
- The Quran: “And establish the prayer” (Quran, 2:110) and “Maintain the prayers, and the middle prayer” (Quran, 2:238).
- The Sunnah: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Indeed, Allah Almighty has prescribed upon every Muslim man and woman, in every day and night, five prayers.” This is a mashoor narration (a narration conveyed by three or more narrators from each generation).
- Scholarly Consensus (ijmaʿ): The Muslim community has unanimously agreed, from the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) until the present, on the obligation of prayer for all Muslims, male and female, without any objection.
And Allah Almighty knows best.
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