505 - Ahmad ibn Muhammad and al-Akhdar ibn Minjab narrated to us, they said: 'Arim narrated to us, Khalid ibn al-Harith narrated to us, he said: I heard Ubaydallah ibn al-Hasan say - concerning a man who set aside a plot of land and roofed it in the manner of mosques, then invited people to it - he considered it a mosque, whether he (the man) is living or dead. It was said to him: 'What if he stipulated that he and his household are the ones to lead prayer in it?' He opined that they have the right to that, if there is among them someone who is qualified for that - even if someone else is more proficient in recitation than him.

Chapter: Are adhan and iqamah required for women?

• I asked Ahmad, I said: 'Are women required to perform the adhan and iqamah?' He treated the matter leniently, but said: 'How good is the iqamah; it is an addition,' and he saw no harm in it.

• And I heard Ishaq say: 'The Sunnah has passed from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that he said: "There is no adhan or iqamah for women," whether in travel or at home, whether they pray in congregation or individually; in the sense of obligation. However, it is more beloved to us that a woman performs the iqamah.'

506 - Amr ibn Uthman narrated to us, he said: Al-Walid ibn Muslim narrated to us, he said: I asked Abu Amr: 'And is the iqamah (required) for women?' He said: 'Yes.' I said: 'Does a woman lead other women in prayer?' He said: 'Yes, she stands in their midst.' I said to Abu Amr: 'Does she perform the adhan and iqamah?' He said: 'She performs an adhan that she keeps quiet.'

507 - Al-Walid said: 'The opinion of Malik is more beloved to me: She may lead them in voluntary prayers, but she does not lead them in obligatory prayers.'