Allah's Shade for Women

Q- The Hadith regarding the seven to whom Allah gives shade to, on the day when there will be no shade except His — is it specific to men, or will women receive the reward mentioned if they do exactly the same deeds?

A – The reward mentioned in this Hadith is not specific to men, but rather, it includes both men and women. The Hadith applies to a young girl, for instance, who grows up worshipping Allah Almighty. Similarly, it applies to women who love one another for the sake of Allah, or to a woman who, when she is seduced by a handsome man of good position, says, “Indeed, I fear Allah.”

It also applies to a woman who gives charity from good and honestly earned wealth, yet her left hand doesn’t know what her right hand has spent, and to the woman who remembers Allah when she is alone.

As for the quality of being a just Imam (ruler), or congregational prayer in the Masjid, these two are specific to men, for the prayer of a woman in her home is better for her, a fact that is related in authentic narrations from Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him).

– Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Baz;
Fatawa Islamiyah, vol. 7, pg. 185