Question Summary:
What is the correct method for a Hanafi woman to perform her Salat?

Question Detail:

Assalam o alaikum, I follow Hanafi Mazhab and I want to know that is the way women pray their salah different from that of men? And will you please tell me the full way how women should pray their salah in the light of hadith and sunnah.

Answer :

Answer:
 
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
 
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
 
Hadrath Anas Radiayallahu Anhu reports that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi wa Salam said:
The woman who observes her five daily Salat, fast during the month of Ramadan, preserves her chastity and obeys her husband, will enter Janah through whichever door she please.[1]
 
Salat is an important ibaadat and it will be the first obligation that a person will be questioned about on the Day of Qiyamah. The Salat of women are more conservative than the Salat of men. The Salat of women are meant to conceal the satar of women and to maintain modesty.
 
A woman’s postures in Salat are as follows:
 
QIYAAM (STANDING)
 
In the standing position a woman should raise her hands close to her shoulders[2] then lowering them recite Allahu Akbar and  place her hands on her chest with both palms facing towards the chest. The inner palm of the right should be placed on the back of the palm of the left hand. Unlike men she will not make a ring with her fingers.[3]
 
RUKU (KNEELING)
 
During ruku her back should be slightly bent to the extent that she is able to touch her knees.  Her fingers should be placed close together and placed on her knees, without grasping her knees. Her knees should be slightly bent. Her elbows should be placed close to her sides and the ankles of both her feet kept together.[4]
 
 
SAJDAH (PROSTRATION)
 
When she goes into Sajdah, her knees should touch the ground first, followed by the hands with the face between the palms. The nose should touch the ground first followed by the forehead. The forearms should be placed flat on the ground close to her body. The fingers should be flat and facing the Qibla. Both feet should be placed outwards towards the right hand side and her stomach touching her thighs, her arms attached to her sides and her forearm spread on the ground. Her elbows should be pressed against her sides. She should draw herself closely together.
 
When going into Tashahud position she should sit up straight with her feet remaining outwards, towards the right. Her palms with her fingers close together and pointing towards the Qibla should be placed on her knees.
 
Attached below are illustrations of the different postures of women in Salat.
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
 
 
Saeed Ahmed Golaub
Jamaica
Student Darul Iftaa
 
Checked and Approved
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
daruliftaa.net 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The hands as seen here are raised to the
shoulders with both palms facing outwards.
The hands in this picture are exposed for clarification
purposes only and should not  otherwise be
exposed in Salat.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Both hands are placed on the chest. The inner palm
of the right hand is placed on the back of the palm of the left hand.
Both feet are kept closely together.
 
 
 
 
The back slightly bent should be slightly bent
during Ruku (kneeling position).
 
In Ruku (kneeling position) the fingers should be
placed close together and placed on the knees.
Women should not grasp their knees.
The hands  are exposed for clarification
Purposes only and should not be exposed in Salat.
 
 
 
 
During Sajdah both feet should be placed
outwards towards the right side.
Her stomach should be pressed against her thighs.
Her forearm should be placed flat on the floor,
close to her body and her elbows pressed against her sides.
The hands  are exposed for clarification
Purposes only and should not be exposed in Salat.
 
 
Frontal view showing her head between
her palms while the forearms are placed flat on the floor.