Source: The Night Prayer in Ramadhan – by Shaik Nasiruddin Albanee [PDF]
On Page 16 & 17
On the third night (i.e. the 27 night), [17]he (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) gathered his family,his wives and the people and lead us in the night prayer until we feared that we would miss the falaah (success).” I said: “What is the falaah?” He (Abu Dharr) said: “The Suhoor (pre-dawn meal)”
Foot Notes:
[17]He means by this the 27 night of Ramadaan, which is the Night of Al-Qadar, according to the most correct view, as has been stated previously. This is why on this night the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) gathered his family and wives. So there is proof in this that it is recommended for the women to attend the congregation on this night.
The Legality of Women performing the Night Prayer in Congregation:
6. It is legislated for women to attend the congregational Night Prayer, as has been mentioned in the previous hadeeth of Abu Dharr. In fact, it is permissible to place a specific Imaam for them to lead them in prayer apart from the Imaam who leads the men. This is since it is authentically reported that when `Umar (radyAllaahu `anhu) gathered the people for the Night Prayer, he placed `Ubay bin Ka’ab to lead the men and Sulaymaan bin Abee Hathma to lead the women.
`Arfajah ath-Thaqafee reported:
“‘Alee bin Abee Taalib (radyAllaahu `anhu) would order the people to establish the Night Prayer in the month of Ramadaan. And he would place an Imaam for the men and another Imaam for the women. I used to be the Imaam for the women.” [ 21]
In my opinion, this applies only if the masjid is wide and ample enough such that one group will not disturb the other.
Foot Notes:
[21] This hadeeth and the one before it have been reported by Al-Bayhaqee (2/494). The first one of the two was also reported by `Abdur-Razzaaq in Al-Musannaf (4/258/8722). Ibn Nasr also reported both hadeeths in Qiyaam Ramadaan (pg. 93) and then used them as evidence for what we stated (pg. 95)
AbdurRahman.Org 