In Islamic Shari`ah, both Muslim men and women are addressed and asked to perform acts of worship in the way they are revealed in the Qur’an and elaborated in the Sunnah and as they were practiced by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions. Jumu`ah Prayer is not obligatory on women even though they are allowed to attend the Jumu`ah. Women can also give lessons to other women and men. However, they are not allowed to conduct specific Jumu`ah for women as this is contrary to the teachings of Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the righteous predecessors, as well as the consensus of the Muslim Ummah.

The prominent Muslim scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Iqbal Nadvi, Director and Imam of Al-Falah Islamic Center, Oakville, Ontario, Canada, states: This is not a gender issue. Jumu`ah is an act of worship, which is to be done in the way that has been reported by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). We know from Islamic sources that Jumu`ah is only obligatory upon men.

Therefore, there is no requirement for women to conduct Jumu`ah Prayer but they are allowed to attend. Part of the order of this worship is to line up in the same way that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions did: men in the front, youngsters in the middle and women at the back. The khutbah is supposed to address the people, and it makes no sense that a person will address the people while sitting behind them. However, this does not mean that qualified female scholars are not allowed to address the community including men in other functions. However, when we talk about Jumu`ah, it is an act of worship and is restricted to the way shown by Islam.