Can A Woman Lead The Prayer As The Imam Of A Congregation Consisting Of Men?

Can a woman lead the prayer as the imam of a congregation consisting of men?

It is not permissible in any jurisprudential school for women to lead the prayer as the imam of a congregation consisting of men (Ibn Qudamah, al-Mughni, III, 32-33; Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, II, 306, 321; Jaziri, al-Madhahib al-Arba‘a, I, 372). The permission given by Prophet Muhammad (saw) to Umm Waraqah stating that she could perform prayer as imam for her family (Abu Dawud, Salat, 62; Bayhaqi, Sunan al-Kubra, I, 597) is interpreted as a practice special to her. According to some other interpretations, this permission of Prophet Muhammad (saw) was valid for the women in that house or quarter. The following command of the Prophet (saw) supports this as well: “No woman should be appointed as Imam over a man.” (Ibn Majah, Iqamat al-Salat, 78; Bayhaqi, Sunan al-Kubra, III, 128) Because there has been no other examples of this practice throughout history, including the Prophet’s age. Stating that this is a permissible act means to add something new to the religion, which is called bid’ah (innovation in religion). The Prophet (saw) said that bi’dah is error (Muslim, Jumu’ah, 867; Abu Dawud, Sunan, 6).

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWAS