Ladies following the Imaam in Salaah

It is recorded in the Hadith Sharif that a female should perform her Salaah in her bedroom. This is better than her performing Salaah in any other portion of the house as there is more Purdah in the bedroom.

It is recorded in another narration that the Salaah of a woman which is most beloved to Allah Ta’ala, is the Salaah performed in the darkest portion of her room.

These narrations clearly indicate that a female should perform her Salaah at home. However, if she follows the Imaam in the ladies’ section of the Masjid (which is attached to the Masjid), then her Salaah will be valid, with the proviso that the Imaam makes Niyyat of leading the females in Salaah. If the Imaam does not make intention of leading the females in Salaah, or the ladies’ section is separate from the Masjid (to the extent that a car can pass between the Masjid and the ladies’ section), then her following the Imaam will not be valid.

Men should be performing their Salaah in the Masjid hence, there is no need for them to perform their Fardh Salaah at home in Jamaat. Yes, if they are unable to attend the congregational Salaah for a valid reason (such as severe illness), and as a result they perform their Salaah with their Mahaarim females at home in Jamaat, then their Salaah will be in order.