ever. They are indeed the defiantly disobedient—except those who repent thereafter and reform.” [al-Nūr 24:4–5] The Prophet ﷺ also said, concerning the grave destructive sins: “and falsely accusing chaste, unsuspecting believing women.” (1)

The basic principle is that legally accountable men and women share the same rulings, except where evidence establishes otherwise. Examples include general authority, such as political leadership, judicial office, and the like; these are exclusive to men. A woman may, however, hold a limited position of authority—for instance, if she travels with women and becomes their leader during the journey, or as a school principal, and similar roles.

But she should keep herself compact and extend her legs to her right side …

His statement, “But she should keep herself compact,” means that a woman draws herself in in situations where it is prescribed for a man to keep his limbs apart. Thus, while bowing and prostrating, a man is prescribed to keep his upper arms away from his sides; and while prostrating, to keep his upper arms away from his sides and his thighs away from his calves.

A woman, however, does not keep her limbs apart; rather, she draws herself in. When she prostrates, she places her stomach against her thighs and her thighs against her calves; and when she bows, she keeps her hands close to her sides.

The evidence given for this is the general principles of the Sacred Law: a woman should be covered, and drawing herself in is more concealing for her than keeping her limbs apart.

This is how the ruling has been explained.

The response to this is from several angles: