Why Do Men Stand In Front Of Women During Prayer?

How much distance should there be between women and men during prayer?
Is placing a curtain between them necessary?
Is there any difference between mahram (close relative) and non-mahram in this context?
What about individual versus congregational prayer?

Since a woman is likened to a flower—whether intentionally or not, she may attract the gaze of mahram or non-mahram men—the sacred lawgiver (Shari‘) has issued various obligatory or recommended instructions for her protection, whether during prayer or otherwise. For example, pouring water from the inner side of the arm during ablution (wudu), keeping the feet together while standing in prayer, placing the knees down before prostrating, and touching the elbows and stomach to the ground during prostration. All of these are intended to prevent the contours of the female body from being exposed, especially during the physical movements of prayer—this concern is more evident in women who do not wear a chador (full-body covering). Among other instructions for safeguarding women is the recommendation, and in some cases obligation, that men stand ahead of women in prayer.

Scholarly Views on the Positioning of Women and Men in Prayer

There are two major views among the scholars:

First View:
Some scholars do not consider it haram (forbidden) or invalidating for a woman to stand beside or even in front of a man during prayer. They simply regard it as makruh (discouraged). To remove this disliked status, they recommend placing a barrier such as a curtain between them, or at least maintaining a five-meter (ten cubits) distance.

According to these scholars, it is better for a woman to stand so that her place of prostration is slightly behind the man’s place of standing.

Ruling on prayers where the advised distance is not observed:

• Imam Khomeini (RA):
  If a woman stands beside or ahead of a man and they begin the prayer together, it is better that they repeat their prayers.

• Ayatollahs Golpayegani and Safi:
  If the woman stands beside or ahead of the man, the prayer of both is valid—whether they start together or one after the other.

• Ayatollah Behjat (RA):
  Though not explicitly stated, based on shared views, he is understood to have agreed with the validity of the prayer in such cases.

• Ayatollah Zanjani:
  If a woman stands beside or ahead of a man without sufficient distance and they start at the same time, it is recommended (as a precaution) that they repeat the prayer.

• Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei:
  In response to whether it is permissible for women to stand ahead of men during prayer in places like the shrine of Imam Reza (AS), he states:
  If there is some distance (at least a handspan) between them, then the woman standing ahead or at the same level as the man is not problematic, and their prayers are valid.

As noted, according to these scholars, not maintaining distance does not invalidate the prayer, and repeating it is not obligatory.

Second View:
Other scholars believe that it is obligatory for women to stand behind men in prayer. Therefore, if a woman stands ahead of or equal to a man, the prayer becomes invalid.

• Ayatollahs Fazel and Makarem:
  If a woman stands beside or in front of a man and they start prayer together, both prayers are invalid. However, if one started earlier, that person’s prayer is valid while the other’s is invalid.

• Ayatollah Sistani:
  He takes a more lenient position but still requires, as a precautionary obligation, that the prayer be repeated if the woman stands in front of or beside a man—whether they start together or one after the other.