Asalamu alaykum,
I was told that it was sunnah for a women to pray in her home BUT I was told that its better for a muslim to pray in a congregation..I am so confused about this will you please clarify for me insha allah?

A. What applies to woman does not always apply to men, vice verse. Both have been created for a specific purpose and function. Both have differing characteristics, differing strengths and weaknesses. Thus, sometimes, a distinction is called upon for certain duties committed within the public domain.

For men it is best to pray in congregation. Their reward is greater when they attend salaah in a gathering. For women, it is best to pray in the inner most portion of her home. The reward she is to get can excel even that of men. Islam looks at the action done, manner in which it is fulfilled, not the gender.

If she is unaware of matters of deen, lacks a spouse, has an ignorant spouse, her parents refuse to impart religious knowledge or are adamantly ignorant of Islamic regulations, then she should attend her local Islamic society with modesty and learn what is necessary to make her a successful Muslimah. The spouse etc. would attain the sin for being neglectful towards his family’s Islamic educational responsibilities. Once her Islamic knowledge has moved to the core of her religious self, her sincerity of piety would demand her to leave her home only in matters of necessity.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.