and Umm Sulaym stood behind them.
2 – The ḥadīth establishes the validity of a boy who has not yet reached puberty standing in the row, for an orphan is by definition a child; letting a minor line up with the men is the position adopted by the majority of scholars.
3 – The preferred place for the followers is directly behind the imam when they are two or more.
4 – A woman’s place is behind the men, even if she is by herself; her prayer behind them is sound. The Shaykh said: by consensus, if she is alone this is permissible, and should she stand in the men’s row neither her prayer nor the prayer of those behind her is invalidated. This is the view of the three imams: Mālik, al-Shāfiʿī, and Aḥmad.
5 – Congregational prayer is not obligatory for women, as indicated by the Prophet’s ﷺ statement, “Then I go on to men who do not attend the prayer” (al-Bukhārī 644). The Lawgiver never commanded it of them; the injunction to attend the congregation was established—by word, deed, and tacit approval—for men. Al-Iqnāʿ and its commentary state: it is recommended for women to pray in congregation when they gather apart from men, whether their imam is one of them or not. ʿĀʾishah and Umm Salamah did so, as reported by al-Dāraquṭnī; and Abū Dāwūd 592 and others relate that “the Prophet ﷺ allowed Umm Waraqah to appoint a muʾadhdhin (caller to prayer) in her home and ordered her to lead the members of her household in prayer.” Shaykh al-Islām said: there is no disagreement that a woman may lead other women in congregation, but is it recommended? The more prevalent opinion is that it is recommended, based on the ḥadīth of Umm Waraqah and similar reports. Accordingly, when female teachers in schools pray together in congregation, this is a praiseworthy practice endorsed by the Sharīʿah and yields many benefits.
6 – It is permissible to perform voluntary prayers in congregation provided this is not turned into a permanent emblem or fixed routine.
7 – It is permissible to pray for the purpose of teaching someone who is ignorant of the rulings, or for any other beneficial objective.