Lower Your Gaze, Women! (Hadith No. 778)

Salam,
Bismillah.

Volume 1, Book 12, Number 778:

Narrated Sahl bin Sa’d:

The people used to pray with the Prophet tying their Izars around their necks because of their small sizes and the women were directed that they should not raise their heads from the prostrations till the men had sat straight.

They would tie Izars (shawls) around their necks so they wouldn’t have to tuck them up again and again during Salah. Because nothing should come in the way of a slave when he’s communicating with his Master.

Women were directed to raise their heads after the men had sat up, for precaution. Women’s rows used to be right behind men’s rows (without screens/walls) so it was possible that a women laid her eyes on a non-mahram’s satr (between knees and belly button). To avoid that, specific directions were given to women. Yes, women need to lower their gaze too.

Wassalam.