I am asking
this question on behalf of the Muslim school I teach at

Since
school only finishes at 15:15 Monday to Thursday, Zohr Salaah is read during
the second break after Athaan is given over the intercom. Salaah is performed
in our hall which is built facing Qiblah. The boys make Jamaat at the bottom
while the girls read their Salaah individually upstairs, entrance for both boys
and girls are totally separate.

What the
school would like to know is: Is it better for the girls to perform their
Salaah individually or should they join in the Jamaat. A Mike system can be set
up allowing the girls to listen to the Takbeeraat. And of course they would
stand a Saff behind the Imaam upstairs.

The reason
for this is because it has recently become an issue and parents are questioning
as to why we aren’t letting the girls follow the Imaam.

We would
really appreciate Mufti Saabs guidance and help.

Jazaakallhu
Khairan

Also a few
reasons for why we should do whatever the best option is.

Answer: 

In Shariah, it is most virtuous for women to pray Salah individually at home as mentioned in various Ahadith.

Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said:

" صَلاَةُ الْمَرْأَةِ فِِ بَيْتِهَا أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صَلاَتَِِا فِِ حُجْرَتَِِا وَصَلاَتَُِا فِِ مََْدَعِهَا أَفْضَلُ مِ نْ صَلاَتَِِا فِِ بَيْتِهَا "

“It is more excellent for a woman to pray in her house than in her courtyard, and more excellent for her to pray in her private chamber than in her house.” (Sunan Abu Dawood #570)

Therefore, it is virtuous and meritorious for women to perform their Salah individually to attain excessive reward and blessing.

Last but not least, we should not encourage our womenfolk to pray Salah collectively or behind the Imam, so that, in future, they do not become habitual of performing Salah collectively which is not encouraged.

AND ALLAH TA'AALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST

ANSWERED BY: MOHSIN KHAN 

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY: Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B. 

Islamic Date: ٢٨ ذو الحجة ١٤٤٠ 

English Date: 29 August 2019