Do Women Have to Say Adhan and Iqamah?

Question: 20225

Please can you tell me if it is obligatory for women to call the Iqamah before they pray alone or in congregation with other sisters.

Summary of answer

It is not prescribed for women to say the Adhan and Iqamah for prayer, whether they are praying individually or one woman leads the others in prayer.

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.

The Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas was asked: Is it prescribed in Shari`ah that a woman should say the Iqamah when she is leading other women in prayer?

They replied:

It is not prescribed for women to say the Iqamah for prayer, whether they are praying individually or one woman leads the others in prayer, just as it is not prescribed for them to say the Adhan. (End quote from Fatawa Al-Lajnah Ad-Da’imah, 6/84)

Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked: Is it permissible for a woman to do the Adhan and Iqamah for prayer or not?

The Shaykh replied:

It is not prescribed for women to pronounce the Adhan or Iqamah for prayer, rather that is for men. Neither the Adhan nor the Iqamah is prescribed for women, rather they should pray without the Adhan or the Iqamah. (End quote from Majmu` Fatawa wa Maqalat Mutanawwi`ah, 10/356)

For more details, please see the following answers: 10078, 146674, 147210.

And Allah knows best.

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