Is It Obligatory For Women To Establish Friday Prayer?

Is it obligatory for women to establish Friday prayer?

Friday prayer is fardh upon the men who are sane, have reached puberty, are healthy, free, and resident (not a guest). Women, those whose independence is restricted, travelers, and those who have valid excuses not to attend congregation are not responsible for establishing Friday prayer. However, in the event that they establish it, their prayer will be valid and they do not need to establish dhuhr prayer separately.

The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “The Friday prayer in congregation is a necessary duty for every Muslim, with four exceptions; a slave, a woman, a boy, and a sick person.” (Abu Dawud, Salat, 217; Ibn Abi Shaybah, al-Musannaf, II, 550; Bayhaqi, al-Sunan al-Kubra, III, 246).

From ‘Asr al-Sa’adah to today, all scholars have agreed that Friday prayer is not fardh upon women (Ibn al-Humam, Fath, II, 59; Nawawi, al-Majmu, IV, 483-484; Ibn Qudamah, al-Mughni, III, 216).

The fact that Friday prayer is not fardh for women is not a deprivation but an exemption about them. There is no obstacle in religious terms for women to go to a mosque and establish Friday prayer in congregation whenever they want. They may even be advised to attend Friday prayer continuously so that they can benefit from khutbahs and sermons.

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