Woman to lead men in Friday prayers

[Bachelor]

Nomads what is going on in here?

In a historic first, a woman will lead the traditional Friday Islamic prayers for men and women at a New York City art gallery next week.

Read more

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/ny-nyisla104170606mar10,0,7421771.story?coll=ny-worldnews-headlines

[RendezVous]

Asalam aleykum,

 

Most things done against ISLAM nowadays have a relation to the YAHUD trying indefinitely to Counter ISLAM'S growth...

 

While we know that our Muslim women have equal rights to men or even more rights...YAHUD can do all this..sponsor all this meetings..confrontations to make ISLAM look like a religion of WAR LIKE believers..We at no time will associate ourselves with some teachings that are not clear...They will always search for somethings which are not CLEAR....and cause confusion.. like the HADEETH they are talking about in the 7th century which has given the Woman..a sahabi for that matter..Radhiallahu canhaa...to lead PRAYERS in her home..this is totally different from the Public arena where a muslim woman is supposed to be humble and shy..in her behaviours not to expose herself like a nude woman who doesn't care at all about herself..That is why we are different from them..and that is why they want to confuse MUSLIMS..

 

Allah said in his HOLY QURAAN...061.008

 

" They desire to put out the light of Allah with their mouths but Allah will perfect His light, though the unbelievers may be averse".

 

That is why ISLAM is growing everywhere in the world..people have seen the TRUTH..it is growing in Australia..In the USA/CANADA fronts..in Africa.. http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Park/6443/Fastest/

 

They will not like ISLAM..to grow that is why they have to bring some confusion..Parties..and Allah s.w says about this parties...

 

061.009

YUSUFALI: It is He Who has sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth, that he may proclaim it over all religion, even though the Pagans may detest (it).

 

058.020

YUSUFALI: Those who resist Allah and His Messenger will be among those most humiliated.

 

and

 

058.022

SHAKIR: You shall not find a people who believe in Allah and the latter day befriending those who act in opposition to Allah and His Messenger, even though they were their (own) fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their kinsfolk; these are they into whose hearts He has impressed faith, and whom He has strengthened with an inspiration from Him: and He will cause them to enter gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein; Allah is well-pleased with them and they are well-pleased with Him these are Allah's party: now surely the party of Allah are the successful ones.

 

I will be really impressed when they start talking about GAYS IN ISLAM...the next time

[juba]

Originally posted by The Rendezvous:

Asalam aleykum,

 

Most things done against ISLAM nowadays have a relation to the YAHUD trying indefinitely to Counter ISLAM'S growth...

 

why are you always talking and connecting evreything to YAHUD? what in the hell do they have to do with a women leading a prayer?

[bilan]

^^^ exactly, muslims most of the time do not want to blame themselves, if anything wrong happens it must be because of yuhuud or westerners. they say some muslim scholars allowed it, so it is kind of confusing.

[raula]

Acuudu bilaahi mina sheydani rajim-A woman leading a prayer in a public sphere where men are involved as well-Subxanallah! Allahu manajeyna.

[RendezVous]

Juba and Bilan have never visited rooms they spread hatred for ISLAM...in yahoo..in paltalk(under Social rooms)..They will talk against ISLAM in every kind of sense.They will even go to an extent of asking irrelevant questions..mocking our religion..ask him and he will most probably say..a jew..few say christians

 

did u guys ever seen http:/..jihadwatch.com where they spread lies against ISLAM jihad.They twist real JIHAD values and made them appear like ISLAM is warlike..did u read this story talking about America as number in terror:

 

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/DB36A32C-28E0-4BDA-8096-5BD6F4742853.htm

 

While visiting Ciudad Bolivar with Khatami, Chavez accused the media of seeking to create "false ideas, like the one about Islamic fundamentalism".

"What can be more dangerous than Washington?" he said.

 

We say YAHUUD..who spread to the West after HITLERS..No wonder even HITLER(a non-muslim wanted to get rid of them..but Why did he chose them only..)..are now scattered everywhere in the USA/CANADA and Europe..this are the same people who were cursed before even prophet Mohamed s.a.w came with prophesy..They were cursed during an era of porphet Daud..with evidences in the Holy Quraan.

 

They used to manipulate ISLAMIC teachings to suit their whims..They even introduced SHIASIM..in islam..Ask yourself where were Shias during Prophet Mohamed's Time?this was to confuse MUSLIMS..

 

They will go to an extent of even creating media publicity saying all muslims are terrorists..What about MacVeigh..the famous American who bombed The 'WORLD TRADE CENTER'in Oklahoma..USA..was he also a muslim?What about the IRA terrorists in Ireland?..There are hordes of terrorists in Uganda(Africa) and are not muslims..but they brand anything against them as ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM..

 

we learned muslims must therefore try to speak out and shun all this images..go publicly and study your religion beofre commenting on issues you are unaware of or have any information with..Anywhere you are..you are representing ISLAM..if you have a BAD image..one will not say xaliimo OR Farax..You are like this or that..he will say ..see this muslims?

 

There must be a reason why the HOLY QURAAN even went ahead to lament ..That we should atleast try to befreind CHRISTIANS rather than YAHUD..(Taking CHRISTIANS ) as our brothers..

 

do u guys still dispute that?

[rudy-Diiriye]

what about the radical muslim terrorists who bomb

who u failed to mention that!!

 

r u getting paid under table!! all Religions are against these so called god killing calls! but humans tend to use religion as means to certify their evil deads!!

 

simply, many ppl r using religions to carry out ills towards others!! n that is not cool!

 

nobody has to right to kill or condom another cuz of religion or otherwise!! no religion okeys that!! commonly, all religions direct their followers to repect everyone!! including believers of other faiths!!

[SomeAlien]

Originally posted by The Rendezvous:

 

There must be a reason why the HOLY QURAAN even went ahead to lament ..That we should atleast try to befreind CHRISTIANS rather than YAHUD..(Taking CHRISTIANS ) as our brothers..

 

do u guys still dispute that?

actually the quran says that we shouldnt take the christians and jews as friends because they are only friends of one another, they plot against us. so the question is, why focus on one group when they both have the same goal of erradicating us.

[juba]

Originally posted by The Rendezvous:

do u guys still dispute that?

im just simply wondering what brang all this irrelvant words into a topic that has nothing to do with it! Thats all! u can't go through this life with hate in ur heart. Just focus on being a good muslim and forget the yahud and christians because u seem to wrapped up in that.

[RendezVous]

005.014

YUSUFALI: From those, too, who call themselves Christians, We did take a covenant, but they forgot a good part of the message that was sent them: so we estranged them, with enmity and hatred between the one and the other, to the day of judgment. And soon will Allah show them what it is they have done.

 

005.051

YUSUFALI: O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust.

 

005.057

YUSUFALI: O ye who believe! take not for friends and protectors those who take your religion for a mockery or sport,- whether among those who received the Scripture before you, or among those who reject Faith; but fear ye Allah, if ye have faith (indeed).

 

It later continued to put my point straight about the 'BETTERNESS OF CHRISTIANS TO US THAN THE JEWS"..

 

005.082

YUSUFALI: Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say, "We are Christians" : because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant.

 

005.083

YUSUFALI: And when they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, thou wilt see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognise the truth: they pray: "Our Lord! we believe; write us down among the witnesses.

 

[Pujah]

what is the world coming to

^^^ where women will lead men friday prayers

 

subxana allah

[Rahima]

Women leading men in prayers

Abu Yusuf Tawfique Choudhury

Article ID: 1212 | 138 Reads

 

 

 

To my respected and noble brothers and sisters in Islam,

 

Without doubt, my brothers and sisters will agree that this modern age that we live in has brought with it various movements that have numerous benefits as well as ills. From them is a movement that attempts to free women from the throngs of social taboo and culture into parity with men in all affairs. This movement has its benefits as well as ills. From its benefits are that it advocates freeing women from ignorant customs and social taboo and attempts to restore her God given rights. From its ills however, is that it goes beyond the boundaries of heavenly wisdom and advocates for itself true justness in the distribution of obligation between men and women. It forgets that just like the day is different from the night and each has its own qualifications and specific activities, so too do men and women. Allah tells us in the Quran: "By the night as it envelopes, and by the day in its blazing glory, It is he who has created men and women, and similarly too are your activities and obligations different…"

 

Unfortunately we find that this movement has also found fertile ground amongst the Muslims such that we find various intellectuals of this time calling for a fresh reading into the Fiqh of women in Islam and their rights and obligations. They forget however that the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam had said: "There will not cease to be a group amongst my Ummah, clear upon the truth; nothing will harm them until the command of Allah comes." Based on this clear authentic hadeeth, it is impossible to think that for the last 1400 years the Muslims have been incorrect in the matter of women and their rights and obligations. Infact based on this hadeeth, one must strongly condemn every new argument that is brought out to "free" women that was not already there at the time of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. It is as Imam Malik rahimahullah had rightly said: "That which was not religion at the time of the companions cannot be religion today."

 

In this regard, I have come to know of an article or email written about how women should be allowed to lead men in prayers. It quotes certain scholars who supposedly support permissibility and attempts to quote evidences to validate the claim.

 

However I have found that this article/email distorts the true picture and does not mention the full scenario and counter claims that are so important in intellectual debates. I have also found that there is a clear misunderstanding of the issues involved showing that the person has little grounding in the sciences of Fiqh and understanding of the texts and has not researched the matter thoroughly. I advise such people to fear Allah and remember that speaking without knowledge and merely cutting and pasting quotes from books and the web without proper authority and qualification can be truly painful and embarrassing in this life and the next.

 

In view of this, I see it as an obligation on myself, as a student of Fiqh and as a person who has been given ijaazah in the Hanbali madhab, to clarify this issue so that it may serve to end the dispute that ensues from lack of knowledge.

 

I ask Allah to bless this article and to make it for His sake only and to bless me with justness in what I write.

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

In the name of Allah

 

Women leading men in prayers

 

This topic has numerous issues pertaining to it; however I will only deal with two issues of contention:

 

Women leading men in an obligatory prayer

Women leading men in a supererogatory prayer

 

 

1. Women leading men in an obligatory prayer:

 

The scholars of Islam have complete consensus on the fact that it is not permissible for women to lead a man in an obligatory prayer.

 

Ibn Hazm [d. 456A.H.] rahimahullah says: "They [the scholars] have agreed that a woman is not permitted to lead a man in [obligatory] prayer. If they were to do that [i.e. a woman led a man in obligatory prayer], then their prayers are invalidated by complete consensus." [Maratibul-Ijma, Ibn Hazm, p27, Darul-kutub al-Ilmiyyah]

 

Imam Ibn Hubierah [d. 560A.H.] rahimahullah says: "They [the scholars] have complete consensus that it is not permissible for a woman to lead a man in prayer in obligatory prayers." [Al-Ifsah, Al-wazir Ibn Hubirah, vol. 2, pg 42, Markaz al-Fajr]

 

Similarly has also been reported by Ibn Abdul Bar in al-Istidhkar and by Ibn Qudaamah in al-Mughni.

 

This is based on the fact that it has never been reported that a women ever led men in obligatory prayers (except that which has been reported from the hadeeth of Umm Waraqa – wherein she led people of her household – as we will mention shortly). Imam Ibn Rushd mentions in Bidayatul-Mujtahid: "And the majority had agreed upon preventing her from leading the men in prayer because where it to be permissible, then it would have been reported from the time of the first generation [of Muslims]. Similarly as the sunnah as regards women is for them to be behind men in prayer, then it is to be understood from this that it is not permitted for them to stand before them." [bidayatul-Mujtahid, Ibn Rushd, vol.1, pg354, Maktaba-Ibn Taymiyyah, Cairo] Similarly al-Khattabi says in his notes on Sunnah-Abi Dawud during explanation of the hadeeth (no. 612) in the chapter "If there were 3 groups then how are they to stand [behind the Imam]": "And in this [hadeeth] is proof that the leading of women over men is not permissible, because just as she was prevented from being in the same row as men, then for her to be in front of them is more so [in prohibition]." [Al-Khattabi, Ma'alim us-Sunan, vol.1, pg408 (printed with Sunan Abi Dawud), Darul-Hadeeth, Cairo]. It is also to this extent that Ibn Masud was reported to have said: "Keep them back just as Allah has kept them back." [Reported by Abdur-Razzaq in al-Musannaf, 3/149, al-Maktab al-Islami, Beirut] – Authenticated by Ibn Hajr in Fathul-Bari [vol.1, pg.400, Maktabah as-Salafiyyah, Beirut]

 

Also what is interesting is that the authentic narrations from Ibn Masud as well as another one from Aishah radiallahu anhuma states that the practise of the women leading the men in prayer was a practise invented by the Jews and it was for this reason and from that time onwards when menstruation was decreed upon the women of this world. Ibn Masud said as reported by Abdur-Razzaq in his Musannaf and authenticated by Ibn Hajr: "The men and women in the time of the Children of Israel used to pray together and the women used to lead the men in prayer. So Allah caused them to have menstruation and so stopped them from the mosques." As for the narration from Aishah, then it states: "The women of the Children of Israel used to take wooden shoes and to be distinguished and lead the men in the masjids, so Allah prohibited the masjids upon them [the women] and punished them with menstruation."

 

As for what has been reported to be differences from Ashub, at-Tabari, al-Muzani, Abu-Thawr, may Allah have mercy on them all, then the explanation of it is two fold: a general explanation and a specific one.

 

General explanation: The differences from the above reported Imams was after the time of Ijma and thus their differences are not taken into account to disrupt the ijma in this issue. It is to this effect that Ibn Rushd says: "and Abu Thawr and at-Tabari shaddhaa [Ar. Shadhaa – a term in usul-ul-fiqh meaning to be strange in this matter and by themselves going against an opinion which was ijma and prevalent at that time] and permitted the women to lead the men in prayers in general." [bidayatul-Mujtahid, Vol.1, pg.354]

 

Specific explanation: It is only Abu Thawr and at-Tabari who clearly allowed women to lead the prayers over men without restriction. As for Ashub, then he did not hold the same opinion as Abu Thawr and at-Tabari. Rather he held the opinion that – where it to happen that a women lead a man in prayer and the men did not know about it, then later on found out that it was a woman, then they do not have to repeat their prayers – because of the fact that the person did not know who was leading the prayers. He also said the same thing for a person who is led by a kafir in prayer and he does not know about it. As any person can see, this statement from Ashub does not necessarily dictate that women are allowed to lead men in prayer. Also as for al-Muzani, then we do not have a direct statement from him regarding the matter of women leading men in prayer. All we know, is that the analogy of the opinion of al-muzani of a kafir leading the prayer and thereafter those behind him not being obligated to repeat the prayer would therefore necessitate that this opinion would also be that if a women were to lead the prayer and the men did not know about it, then they would not need to repeat the prayer. [al-Mughni, Ibn Qudaamah, Vol.3, pg32-33, Dar Al-Hijr] So how is this same as saying that al-Muzani held the opinion that women are permitted to lead the prayer? As any person can see, this does not necessarily dictate that women are allowed to lead men in prayer. Also we must clearly remember the principle of Osoolul-Fiqh that says: Idha dakhala ihtimaal batala al-istidlaal [Meaning: If a matter becomes an issue that has numerous possibilities, then using it as a witness is nullified]. So because the reported opinions of Ashub and Al-Muzani can have various possibilities deduced from it, then to conclude that they held the opinion that women can lead men in prayer is not permissible nor suitable as evidence.

 

As for what is used in our times to say that women may lead men in prayers – then it is the hadeeth of Umm Waraqa radiallaahu anha who was killed by the boy and girl she used to look after and died a Shaheedah just as Rasullah said she would. The Prophet sallaalahu alaihi wa sallam, at the time of the battle of Badr permitted this Shaheedah radiallahu anha to lead her household in prayer and kept a very old man as the mu'azzin to give the adhaan for her. [Reported by Abu Dawud 1/139 and Musnad Imam Ahmed 6/405 and certified hasan by Ibn Hajr] However as we know that Rasulullah infact allowed her to lead the women in prayer and not men. It is for this reason that al-Baihaqi reports this hadeeth under the chapter heading: "Chapter 51: Permissibility of women leading other women in prayer rather than men." – and thereafter al-Baihaqi reports the hadeeth as reported by those before him. Also ad-Daraqutni clearly reports this same incident with the wording "women of her household" and clarifies that the narrations point to the fact that Rasulullah only permitted her to lead the women in prayer, and so reports: "Ahmed bin Abbas al-Baghawi reported to me that Umar bin Shabah Abu Ahmed Az-Zubairi that al-Waleed bin Jami from his mother, from Umm Waraqa that Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam permitted her to have a person do the Adhan for her and for her to stand and lead the women of her household in prayer." [sunan ad-Daraqutni, Vol. 1, pg. 279, Darul-Ma'rifah, Beirut]

 

It is for this reason that Ibn Qudaamah says in al-Mughni: "And the hadeeth of Umm Waraqa is only that she was permitted to lead the women in her household in prayer. Such has been reported by ad-Daraqutni – and it is obligatory to accept this extra [wording]." [Al-Mughni, Ibn Qudaamah, Vol.3, Pg.33, Dar al-Hijr]

 

Therefore based on this, the statement of the some of the ulema who may have understood from this hadeeth to mean that Umm Waraqa led men in prayer as well such as led the old man who used to give the adhan for her and the young boy who she used to look after because of what they deduced from the narrations in Abu Dawud, then we say to this – that the narration of ad-Daraqutni is the clarification of the unclear wording of "Ahlu-Dariha" (the people of her household) and clarifies that it means women of her household and so we say that it cannot be said that she lead men in prayer.

 

So we say that therefore that the opinions of Abu Thawr and At-Tabari – these two Imams rahimahumullah and may Allah enter them in the highest of paradise – is incorrect and their proofs from this incident are invalid.

 

This is as far as the issue of women leading men in obligatory prayers is concerned.

 

2. Women leading men in supererogatory prayers

 

As for women leading men in supererogatory prayers, then the ulema are divided on this issue and there is no ijma available.

 

The first opinion: That it is not permissible for women to lead men in any prayers at all, even the supererogatory prayers and this is the opinion of the vast majority of the ulema from the present and the past. It the opinion of the 4 madhabs (yes even the hanbali madhab – See [Al-Insaaf, Al-Mawardi, Vol.2, pg.263]) and the Tabiyyeen and the 7 fuqaha of Medinah and the Dhahiri madhab.

 

The second opinion: That it is permissible for women to lead men in supererogatory prayers such as nafl and taraweeh prayers provided that all the men that are present do not know how to recite the quran and the woman is far well versed than them in the Quran. There are two narrations from Imam Ahmed, one allowing them to lead in nafl prayers and another one allowing them to lead in taraweeh prayers – this later narration being well known amongst the earlier hanbalis.

 

The third opinion: Women can lead men in prayers in general – as is the opinion of Abu Thawr and at-Tabari as has preceded and this opinion has already preceded refutation of.

 

As for the proofs for the first opinion, then it is as has preceded in our discussion of the proofs for why a woman is not allowed to lead in obligatory prayers.

 

As for proofs for the second opinion, then it is hadeeth of Umm Waraqa as has preceded wherein the scholars who are of this opinion specified the hadeeth to mean that Rasulullah had permitted her to lead in non-obligatory prayers. Also they deduced from the extra wording in some of the narrations of the hadeeth which report that Umm Waraqa was one of the ones who had read the quran – that women leading men in prayer is conditional upon there not being any men qualified to lead the prayer.

 

However this second opinion which is held by some of the scholars of the hanbali madhab is not the correct position in the madhab. Rather it is the marjuuh [Ar. Marginalised and incorrect] opinion as stated by the Ulema of the hanbali madhab themselves. Al-Mardawi states in al-Insaaf which is regarded as the guiding book that defines the position of the hanbali madhab; he says in explanation of the saying: "And his saying: And it is not permissible for a women to lead a man in prayer": "This the [position of the hanbali] madhab definitely. In alMustawab, it says – and this opinion is correct – and it is the position supported by the author; and this is the choice of Abul-Khattab and ibn Abdoos in his Tadhkirah and it is opinion strongly stated in al-Kafi, al-Muharrar, Al-Wajeez, al-Munawwar, al-Muntakab, Tajreedul-Inayat, Ifadaat…" [Al-Insaaf, Al-Mardawi, Vol.2, pg.263, Dar Ihyaa al-Turath al-Arabi, Beirut]

 

As for the proof of the second opinion, then the Sheikh of the Hanbalis, Ibn Qudaamah rahimahullah says in refutation of those hanbalis who hold the opinion that it is ok in taraweeh prayers provided she knows more Quran: "And to specify that [i.e the hadeeth of Umm Waraqa] is to do with the Taraweeh prayers and putting the condition that she stands back [i.e. stands in the middle instead of in front as the Imam normally does] is legislation without proof and goes against the principles without evidence. Therefore it is not permissible to go towards this [i.e. not permissible to hold this opinion]." [Al-Mughni, Ibn Qudamah, Vol.3, pg.33, Dar al-Hijr]

 

Thus we conclude that the most correct position is the opinion that states impermissibility of women leading the prayers in nafl and superogatory prayers as well as obligatory prayers over men.

 

And Allah knows best.

 

As for women giving the khutbah then it is a matter never heard of before. Never has it been reported in the time of the Prophet nor with the 4 Khalifahs that a woman was allowed to give the khutbah for jumah and therefore it is a bidaa of our times. It has never been reported that Aishah radiallahu anha and she was the most knowledgeable of people in Makkah (when she had moved there during the time of Uthman radiallaahu anhu's Khilaafah) that she ever gave the Friday khutbah even though she was the most knowledgeable of the companions in Makkah at that time. Infact it has further been reported that when she used to talk and answer questions when people came to ask her for her fatwa, she used to put her little finger of her right hand in the side of her mouth so as to muffle and gargle her speech, so that people may not be tempted by her voice.

 

So in response to women giving Jum'ah khutbahs we say that this is an innovation and never established in the time of revelation and that which was not religion at their time cannot be religion now.

 

And I remind my brothers and sisters again and warn them from following the footsteps of the children of Israel where their women used to pray with the men in the mosques and show and lead the men, at which time Allah punished them. I also remind them of the saying of Aishah radiallaahu anha – "Where rasulullah to see the women of our time, then he would not have allowed them to go to the mosques." And this is our mother Aishah radiallahu anha – a woman – saying this about the women in her times. So what of the women in ours?

 

And Allah knows best.

 

And may the blessings and protection of Allah be upon our beloved prophet and messenger and upon his family and his companions until the day of Judgement. And our final call is that all praise is to Allah, the Lord of Mankind.

 

Abu Yusuf Tawfique Chowdhury

Melbourne, Australia

abuyusuf@islaam.net

[Warrior of Light]

Rahima

Jazakhallah kheir for posting the article. As it clarifies alot of the controversy.

 

I pray to Allah that the lady will come to her senses and the men praying behind her find the true light of Islam. Amin.

[RendezVous]

>>>>Ahmed bin Abbas al-Baghawi reported to me that Umar bin Shabah Abu Ahmed Az-Zubairi that al-Waleed bin Jami from his mother, from Umm Waraqa that Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam permitted her to have a person do the Adhan for her and for her to stand and lead the women of her household in prayer." [sunan ad-Daraqutni, Vol. 1, pg. 279, Darul-Ma'rifah, Beirut]>>>>>

 

Thank you very much for all those articles.

 

May Allah give you the best in life to do more research for ISLAM..

 

[Khayr]

Woman leads US Muslims to prayer

The congregation was evenly split between men and women

A professor in the US is thought to have become one of the first Muslim women to lead mixed Friday prayers.

More than 100 men and women attended the service and sermon given by Amina Wadud, professor of Islamic studies at Virginia Commonwealth University.

 

The location was moved to an Anglican Church building in New York after mosques refused to host the event.

 

The service has been criticised by a number of Muslim leaders, who say it goes against Islamic doctrine.

 

It's not proper for [men] to look at the woman whose body is in front of them

 

Sayed Tantawi

sheik of Cairo's Al-Azhar mosque

 

"The issue of gender equality is a very important one in Islam, and Muslims have unfortunately used highly restrictive interpretations of history to move backward," Ms Wadud said before the service started.

 

"With this prayer service we are moving forward. This single act is symbolic of the possibilities within Islam."

 

Those who attended were said to be evenly divided between men and women. Most women wore the traditional Muslim headscarf and robes.

 

Some 15 protesters gathered outside the Synod House of the Cathedral of St John the Divine, where the prayers took place. One carried a placard calling for Allah's curse to be upon one of the event's organisers.

 

"She is tarnishing the whole Islamic faith. If this was an Islamic state, this woman would be hanged," one man, Nussrah, told the Associated Press.

 

The BBC Middle East correspondent says the controversy has meant Ms Wadud is getting prominent coverage on Arabic television networks.

 

'Second class'

 

The service was organised by a group of activists, journalists and scholars who hoped to encourage discussion about the centuries-old tradition of separating men and women during congregational prayer, and reserving the role of prayer leader, or imam, for men.

 

One organiser, Asra Q Nomani, said they would challenge the "second-class" status of women in Muslim spiritual life.

 

 

Mosques reportedly refused to host Amina Wadud

 

"We are taking actions that no-one else would have dared to think about before," she told The New York Times. "Nobody cared that we didn't have a place in the faith."

 

However, the sheik of Cairo's Al-Azhar mosque, one of the world's top Islamic institutions, said Islam did not allow for women to preach to men.

 

"When she leads men in prayer... it's not proper for them to look at the woman whose body is in front of them," Sayed Tantawi wrote in a column for the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram.

 

In New York, Aisha al-Adawiya, head of Women in Islam, said she feared a "backlash".

 

The prayer service was moved after it was rejected by three mosques and an art gallery venue received a bomb threat, the AP reported.