And because it is an act of worship specific to Muslims, performing it is an act of Islam, like the two testimonies (shahadatayn). As for Hajj, the disbelievers used to perform it, and fasting is merely abstaining from things that break the fast, which can be done by someone who is not fasting.

Section: As for his prayer in his own regard, it is a matter between him and Allah the Almighty. If it is known that he had previously accepted Islam, then performed ablution and prayed with a correct intention, his prayer is valid. If this is not the case, he must repeat it, because ablution is not valid from a disbeliever. If he did not accept Islam before the prayer, he was not a Muslim nor in a state of ritual purity at the time of commencing it, so it is not valid from him.

255- Issue; He said: (If a woman leads women in prayer, she stands with them in the row in the center.)

There is a difference of opinion regarding the report as to whether it is recommended for a woman to pray in congregation with other women. It has been reported that this is recommended, and among those from whom it is reported that a woman leads women in prayer are Aisha, Umm Salama, 'Ata', al-Thawri, al-Awza'i, al-Shafi'i, Ishaq, and Abu Thawr. It is reported from Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) that this is not recommended. The proponents of reason (Ashab al-Ra'y) deemed it disliked, but if she does it, it is sufficient for them. Al-Sha'bi, al-Nakha'i, and Qatada said: It is permissible for them in voluntary prayers, not in the obligatory ones. Al-Hasan and Sulayman ibn Yasar said: She shall not lead in either an obligatory or voluntary prayer. Malik said: It is not appropriate for a woman to lead anyone in prayer, because the Adhan is disliked for her, and it is a call for the congregation, so that which is intended for the Adhan is disliked for her. Our evidence is the hadith of Umm Waraqa, and because they are among those obligated to perform the prayer, they are similar to men. The Adhan was only disliked for them due to the raising of the voice involved, and they are not among those responsible for it. Once this is established, when she leads them in prayer, she stands in their midst; we do not know of any difference of opinion regarding this among those who hold the view that she may lead them, and because it is recommended for a woman to be covered; therefore, it is not recommended for her to leave a gap between her limbs (tajafi), and being in the center of the row is more concealing for her, as she is hidden by them on both her sides, so it was recommended for her just as it is for the naked person. If she prays in front of them, it is possible that it is valid, because it is a position in general, and for this reason, it was a position for a man, and it is possible that it is not valid because she has deviated from her prescribed position, similar to if a man were to deviate from his position.