Q: Is it permissible for women to perform salatul janazah? Also, can this prayer be said for a non muslim who has passed away? Jazak Allah Khair.

Q: At the grave site our imaam enoucouaged ladies to attended janaza prayers and said they must tell others to attend. It is a good thing. It was the first time for me. I come from from Syria and I have not seen this in my area. Your thoughs?

A: Although a woman can perform janazah Salah behind the men, it is not wajib for a woman to do so, nor is it an encouraged action. It is unanimous between the scholars of the past that a woman should not expose/display herself, especially in situations that causes for a potential adverse display of emotion before strangers.

It was not the general practice of woman to perform Janazah salah from among the sahaba and Tabeein. If attending the janazah salah of her husband, son, daughter, etc would prevent her from becoming a nervous wreck, then she may attend. She must not wail, yelp, scream, pull her hair, slap her cheeks, prevent the janazah from moving, grabbing the janazah, etc.

If she must attend, it would be better for her to attend when all the people have left.

I really do not think a qualified Imaam would encourage the display of woman in public, especially in a graveyard.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.