Does the virtue of remaining in the mosque after Fajr prayer include both men and women?

The hadith which speaks of the virtue of praying two rak‘ahs after the worshipper who prayed Fajr remains in the place in which he prayed until the sun rises – even though the scholars differed concerning its soundness – limits that to those who offered this prayer in congregation.  The text of the hadith is as follows:

It was narrated that Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:

“Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak‘ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and ‘Umrah.” He said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Complete, complete, complete.”

Narrated by at-Tirmidhi (586), who said: It is hasan ghareeb. It was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in as-Silsilah as-Saheehah (3403).

The basic principle is that the Prophet’s words “in congregation” are specific, and exclude the one who prays Fajr in his house or anywhere other than with the congregation in the mosque, then sits and remembers Allah until the sun rises; he is not included in this reward and special virtue, meaning the reward of a complete Hajj and ‘umrah, especially since what is best is for a woman to pray in her house and not in the mosque. However, she will attain a great deal of reward and virtue in general, because remembrance of Allah (dhikr) is one of the best and most beloved acts of worship to Allah, may He be exalted.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked the following question:

Does the hadith “Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah …” include women, especially since women pray on their own at home, and not in congregation?

He (may Allah have mercy on him) replied:

This hadith, which says “Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits in the place where he prayed, remembering Allah, may He be exalted, until the sun rises, then prays two rak‘ahs – meaning after the sun has risen to the height of a spear – will have a reward like that of Hajj and ‘umrah, complete, complete,” was not classed as saheeh by some of the scholars, who thought that it is a da‘eef (weak) hadith.

If we assume that the hadith is saheeh, it refers to men only, because it is not prescribed for women to pray in congregation. Hence it applies only to those for whom it is prescribed to pray in congregation, namely men, but if a woman sits in the prayer place of her house, remembering Allah until the sun rises to the height of a spear, then prays two rak‘ahs, there is the hope that she will have the reward for what she has done. It is known that both morning and afternoon are times for glorifying and remembering Allah, may He be glorified and exalted. Allah, may He be glorified, says (interpretation of the meaning):

{O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance,

And exalt Him morning and afternoon} [al-Ahzaab 33:41-42].

End quote. Fataawa Noor ‘ala ad-Darb (fataawa as-Salaah/Salaat ad-Duha).

See also the answer to question no. 100009 .

And Allah knows best.