Is it better for sisters to pray Taraweeh at home or in the Masjid with the brothers?

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih Al-‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله

Question: Many of the women pray Taraaweeh along with the men in the Masjid. Is this better for her or is it better within the home? Specifically since many of them say that this is from that which assists her and encourages her (upon worship) particularly if she is not able to read from the Mus’haf.

Answer: Her prayer in her home is better. However, if her praying in the Masjid helps her to be more active and it is more encouraging for her, and she fears that if she prays within her home then she may miss out (on some of the reward or Khushoo’) of her prayer, then perhaps praying in the Masjid in this case would be better. This is because this virtue is connected to the act of worship itself, while the home is connected to the place of the act of worship. The virtue which is connected to the act of worship takes precedence in being given attention more so than that which is connected to the place (i.e., where it is done). However, it is obligatory upon the woman when she goes out that she does so covered and not improperly dressed nor (should she be) perfumed. 

Based upon this, the women who bring incense to the side wherein the women pray, then in this case she is closer to sin than she is to reward. This is because the women become scented by way of this incense and then the woman leaves (the Masjid) perfumed. The Prophet (صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) said:  

"Whichever woman has encountered incense then she is not to pray ‘Ishaa with us."

Na’am, if the woman were to bring incense and when she reached the Masjid she puts the incense such that neither she nor whoever is in the place takes it (i.e., is affected by it) and only the place is scented, then there is no harm in this; however, leaving this is better, so that she will not be followed (in doing this) by one who does not do this action (which she has done).   

Source: Silsilah Al-Liqaa’ Ash-Shah