Women's Way of Prostration I went for Umra with my family this summer. Over there, my mother found the Arab women performing prostration ( sajdah ) just like men with forearms lifted from the ground etc. while our Hanafi prayer books ask women to prostrate differently from men. Could you please quote anything from original sources (i.e. the Qur'an and the Sunnah ) which would clarify as to what is the correct way for women? Regards, Muhammad Farooq Naseer Reply In response to one of the earlier questions regarding method of praying, I had written: First of all, it should be clearly understood that the Prophet (pbuh) determined and uniformly taught all his followers a few parts of sala'h . While other parts were left on the understanding and practice of individuals. There is and always has been a considerable level of practical uniformity in the ummah in the parts of sala'h belonging to the first category, while there can and does exist some variance in the ummah in the parts of sala'h belonging to the second category. Some of the important parts of sala'h belonging to the first category are raising of hands close to the ears at the Takbeer e Tehreemah ; recitation of Surah Fatihah ; recitation of a part of the Qur'an after Surah Fatihah, during the first two rak'at ; qiyaam ; rukoo and sajdah etc. On the other hand, some parts of the sala'h belonging to the second category include: Recitation of a part of the Qur'an after Surah Fatihah in the rak'at that follow the first two rak'at ; supplications in the qa`dah and the words of Tasbeeh as well as the number of times they should be uttered during rukoo and sajdah . Keeping the above explanation in perspective, it should be quite easy to comprehend that the details regarding the method of rukoo or sajdah belong to the second category of parts of Sala'h , that is, details regarding these parts were not determined by the Prophet (pbuh) and therefore differences and variances may practically be found in these details among Muslims. It should be clearly understood that the Prophet (pbuh) did not teach any gender-based variances in sala'h . Thus, these variances are not part of the Shari`ah and, therefore, it is not obligatory to be strict about them. On the other hand, because the Prophet (pbuh) did not fix a strict style of rukoo or sajdah , therefore variances in style can occur. In view of this fact, none of these styles can be termed as incorrect. I hope this helps. In case any aspect remains unclear, please feel free in writing back to me at your convenience. May Allah grant us all true understanding of His guidance. Regards The Learner