FatwaFederal TerritoriesPrayer (Salah)
IRSYAD FATWA EDISI KHAS RAMADAN SIRI KE 237: SEBAIK-BAIK SAF WANITA DI DALAM SOLAT
Which row is best for women in congregational prayer, the front or the back?
Short answer
The best row for women is the rearmost one when there is no barrier between the male and female congregations, as this avoids mixing and the gaze of unrelated men.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad al-Hukum Edisi Ramadhan
- Topic
- Prayer (Salah)
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The best row for women is the rearmost one when there is no barrier between the male and female congregations, as this avoids mixing and the gaze of unrelated men. If a barrier such as a screen, curtain or wall separates them so that they cannot see each other, the front row is more virtuous for women. The same applies when women pray in congregation among themselves only. The phrase 'worst of rows' refers to lesser reward, not to a sinful act.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Sebaik-baik saf bagi wanita adalah di bahagian paling belakang sekiranya tiada pemisah antara jemaah lelaki dan wanita.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD FATWA EDISI KHAS RAMADAN SIRI KE 237: SEBAIK-BAIK SAF WANITA DI DALAM SOLAT”, 14 April 2023. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/edisi-ramadhan/5601-irsyad-fatwa-edisi-khas-ramadan-siri-ke-237-sebaik-baik-saf-wanita-di-dalam-solat. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/best-row-for-women-in-congregational-prayer/