the position of one woman with another is like that of one man standing with another man: if she stands to her left, in front of her, or behind her, her prayer is not valid according to the madhhab, just as a man’s prayer is not valid if he stands to the left of another man, in front of him, or behind him. If she stands to her right, however, her prayer is valid—exactly as in the case of a man.

It was previously mentioned in the chapter on covering the awrah (1) that the imam of unclothed persons must stand among them, unless they are blind or in darkness. If they are blind or in darkness, he stands in front of them. We have held that the imam of unclothed persons must stand among them because that is more concealing.

Thus, two cases are excluded from the imam standing ahead of the congregation: a woman leading women, and the imam of unclothed persons. A woman leading women stands among them as a recommendation, whereas the imam of unclothed persons stands among them as an obligation, unless they are blind or in darkness, in which case he stands ahead of them.

“Then come the men, then the boys, then the women, as in their funeral prayers.”

His statement, “Then come the men, then the boys, then the women”: “come” means that they stand immediately behind the imam in the row, when males and females, young and old, are gathered together. “The men” refers to adults, since the designation “man” applies only to one who has reached maturity. Thus, when they form rows, the adult men stand first, then the boys, and then the women behind them.

The evidence is the Prophet’s—peace and blessings be upon him—statement: “Let those among you who are mature and discerning stand closest to me.” (2) This is a command, and the least implication of a command is recommendation. Furthermore, the underlying rationale