Jummah prayer, also known as Friday prayer, holds significant importance in Islam and is considered one of the most essential congregational prayers for Muslims. It is an obligatory weekly prayer that we Muslims perform on Fridays, replacing the regular Zuhr (noon) prayer. The day of Friday itself is regarded as a blessed day in Islam, and the Jummah prayer serves as a means of coming together as a community to worship and strengthen their faith.
A question that often arises, is How many Rakats of Jummah Prayer for Ladies are there? Are they meant to pray the 4 Rakats of compulsory Zuhr prayer, or the 2 Rakats of Friday Prayer? We will answer this question in full detail within this article.
Jummah Prayer: For the Men
Jummah prayer holds a unique position among the various prayers in Islam. While daily prayers (Salah) are obligatory, Jummah prayer is exclusively performed on Fridays, taking the place of the regular noon prayer (Zuhr). It is obligatory for Muslim men to attend the Jummah prayer (provided that they are adults, not travelers, and healthy).
Jummah prayer consists of two main parts: the sermon (khutbah) and the prayer (salah). The prayer is led by an Imam, who delivers the sermon before leading the congregation in the prayer. The Jummah prayer comprises two Rakats (units of prayer). This is in contrast to the regular daily prayers, such as the five obligatory prayers (Salah), which consist of four Rakats for Zuhr, Asr, and Isha, and three Rakats for Maghrib.
O believers! When the call to prayer is made on Friday, then proceed ˹diligently˺ to the remembrance of Allah and leave off ˹your˺ business. That is best for you, if only you knew.
~Surah Al-Jummah – Verse 9
Jummah Prayer: For the Women
As mentioned earlier, Jummah Prayer is not compulsory for Women. However, women are permitted to join the congregation with the men at the Mosque.
During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), women used to attend the Jummah prayer along with men. The mosque in Medina, known as Masjid an-Nabawi, had an open courtyard where both men and women prayed together. Women actively participated in the Jummah sermon and congregation without any barriers or restrictions. The Prophet has also forbidden the men from preventing the women to visit the mosque for prayer, even at night.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “If your women ask permission to go to the mosque at night, allow them.”
~ Bukhari, Book 10, Hadith 865
However, it is not recommended for women to go outside their homes for prayers. For a women, the best kind of prayer, is the prayer that she performs alone in the safety and privacy of her house. There is no additional reward for a women who prays in congregation.
There are various Hadith available which encourage women to pray at home.
Ibn ‘Umar reported the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying:
Do not prevent your women from visiting the mosque; but their houses are better for them (for praying).
~ Sunan Abi Dawud (Book 2, Hadith 567)
From this, we can gather that is recommended for women not to attend the congregation for Jummah Prayer, and instead pray at home.
The Prophet (ﷺ) 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.
~ Sunan Abi Dawud 1067 (Book 2)
How many Rakats of Jummah Prayer for Ladies?
Now that we have established the role of women in Jummah Prayer, let’s discuss how they should pray it. There are two cases involving women and Jummah Prayer, that we will discuss in this section.
1. The Women prays in congregation at the Mosque
If the women prays at congregation at the mosque, then she must follow the same procedure and rules observed by the men. The only difference is that she must pray with the other women in a separate dedicated area for the women (this is typically located behind the men).
In other words, if a women prays at the mosque in congregation, then she must pray the two Rakats prescribed to Jummah Prayer. She will not have pray the regular 4 Rakats of Zuhr prayer.
2. The Women alone at home
Jummah Prayer can only be prayed in congregation at the mosque, complete with a proper imam and sermon. If either a women does not pray the Jummah Prayer in congregation at the mosque, then she must pray the regular 4 Rakats of Zuhr prayer.
No one can pray Jummah Prayer at home, even if you have your own congregation (e.g. your family). Jummah Prayer is a special prayer that can only be prayed at the masjid with the proper proceedings (sermon). Either you pray Jummah (2 Rakats) at the masjid, or pray Zuhr (4 Rakats) at home.
These rules applies to the men as well.
Ending Note
In conclusion, Women have the option to attend the Jummah prayer at the mosque and pray two Rakats, following the same procedure as men, they can also choose to pray the regular four Rakats of Zuhr prayer at home if they do not attend the mosque.