for naked women, even though covering is more strictly emphasized in their case, and the congregation is lighter for them (12), so for men it is more appropriate and fitting. Lowering the gaze is achieved by them forming a single row, where they veil one another. Once this is established, they shall pray in a single row, and their Imam shall be in their midst to be more concealing for him (13), [and more restraining for their gazes from him] (14). Likewise, [it is the Sunnah for the Imam of women to stand] (15) in their midst (16) in every case, because they are 'awrah (intimate parts). If there are naked women with men, they shall move away from them, lest they see one another, and they shall also pray in a congregation like the men, except that the congregation for them is lesser than it is for men, just as if they were not naked. If all of them are in a room or a narrow space, the men shall pray while the women stand behind them (with their backs to them), then the women shall pray while the men stand behind them, so that they do not see one another's 'awrah. If the men are too many for a single row, and the women as well, they shall stand in rows and lower their gazes from those in front of them, because it is a situation of necessity.
195- Issue: He said: (And another report has been narrated from Abu Abd Allah, may Allah have mercy on him, that they prostrate on the ground.)
The report from Ahmad, may Allah have mercy on him, differs regarding naked people if they pray sitting; it is narrated from him (1) that they perform the bowing and prostration by gesture, because standing is waived for them to protect their 'awrah.
(12) In the original: "for them" (feminine). (13) In M: "for them" (masculine). (14) Omitted from the original. (15) In the original: "for the Imamate of women". (16) From here to the end of the section, it appears in the original as: "And if every row prays as a separate congregation, it is better. If there are women with them, the men pray in one area and they (the women) are in another area. If they are in a prison where it is not possible for some to move away from others, the men pray with the women standing behind them, then the women pray with the men standing behind them, so that they do not see one another's 'awrah. If they are too many for a single row, they shall stand in rows and lower their gazes from those in front of them, because it is a situation of necessity." (1) Omitted from M.
