Concerning the Hadeeth about ''The Seven'': Is it Specific to Men?
Question:
The Hadeeth regarding the seven whom Allaah 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?
Answer:
The reward mentioned in this Hadeeth is not specific to men, but rather, it includes both men and women. The Hadeeth applies to a young girl, for instance, who grows up worshipping Allaah Almighty. Similarly, it applies to women who love one another for the sake of Allaah, or to a woman who, when she is seduced by a handsome man of good position, says, "Indeed, I fear Allaah." It also applies to a woman who gives charity from good and honestly derived wealth, yet her left hand doesn't know what her right hand has spent, and to the woman who remembers Allaah 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 Hadeeths from Allaah's Messenger (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam). And with Allaah is the facilitation to do what is right
Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 7, Page 185, DARUSSALAM
