The best place for a woman to perform Salah

Q. What is the best place for women to perform Salah?

A. The best place for a woman to perform Salah is the most secluded area in her house. In a Hadith from Abu Dawood Sharif, Nabi-e-Kareem (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"The Salah of a woman performed in her house, in her bedroom, is better than that performed in another room, and the Salah performed in the corner of her room is better than that performed in the middle of her bedroom."

It is clear that the Salah performed by a woman in a secluded part of her room holds greater reward. As stated in another Hadith, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said that the value of this Salah (performed in the secluded corner of her room) surpasses that performed behind him, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), in Masjid-e-Nabawi. However, in a Hadith reported by Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu anhu) in Sahih Bukhari, it is mentioned that one Salah performed in Masjid-e-Nabawi is superior to a thousand Salahs performed elsewhere, except in the Haram Sharif. Furthermore, according to a Hadith in Ibn Majah, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) stated that one Salah performed in his mosque (Masjid-e-Nabawi) is equivalent to 50,000 Salahs. Thus, based on this Hadith, when a woman performs Salah in the most secluded corner of her home, she receives more reward than 50,000 Salahs performed elsewhere.

In Nailul-Autaar, Allaamah Shawkani (Rahimahullah) cited a Hadith from Tabrani and Musnad Ahmad. According to this Hadith, Hadhrat Umme Humaid As-Sai'diyya (Radiyallahu anha) came to Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) and said:

"O Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), I wish to perform Salah behind you."

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) replied:

"I know, but your Salah performed in your bedroom is better than that performed in any other room. Your Salah performed in a room (other than your bedroom) is better than that performed in the courtyard of your house. Your Salah performed in the courtyard of your house is better than that performed in the local mosque. Your Salah performed in the local mosque is better than that performed in a mosque where the Salah of Jum'ah is performed."

In Fathul Baari, Allaamah Al-Haafiz Bin Hajar (Rahimahullah) describes this Hadith as "hasan" (good). Additionally, Allaamah Muhammad Bin I'shaq Bin Khuzaimah (Rahimahullah) (233–311 H) reports a similar Hadith, also classified as "hasan." At the conclusion of this Hadith, it is further stated:

"And your Salah in the mosque of your locality is better than your Salah performed in my mosque." (Masjid-e-Nabawi)

In Sahih Ibn Khuzaimah, a Hadith reported by Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu anhu) reads:
"The Salah of a woman that is most appreciated by Allah Ta'ala is the one she performs in the darkest corner of her bedroom."

It is evident, in light of the Ahaadith cited, that the Salah performed by a woman at home is superior to that performed elsewhere. The more remote the location where the Salah is performed, the greater the reward. Without a doubt, the best place for a woman to perform Salah is her home.

[English version of "Le meilleur endroit pour les femmes d'accomplir la Salaah" – Al Haadi – Vol. 2 No. 5]