Answer
The Prophet ﷺ passed by two women who were praying, and he ﷺ said to them: “Whenever you prostrate, make your limbs close to the ground for indeed a woman is not like a man in that (position).” [Bayhaqi]
The Prophet ﷺ has also been reported to have said: “When a woman sits during the prayer, she places one thigh over her other thigh, and when she prostrates, she rests her stomach on top of her thighs so that they touch, as this is more concealing for her. Indeed, Allah Most High looks to her and He says, ‘O’ my angels, bear witness that I have forgiven her.’” [Bayhaqi]
According to scholars, the basis of the woman’s prayer is that it follows the same rulings as the man’s prayer, and any differences between the two return to the principle of what is most concealing and modest for her.
The great Hanafi jurist Ibn Abidin (Allah be pleased with him) notes the differences found within the woman’s prayer in Radd al-Muhtar. I have translated the majority of the details from his list while also adding extra explanations from other sources.
Main Difference
1.) When starting the prayer with the takbir, she raises her hands up to shoulder level, while men raise theirs higher to ear level.
2.) During the takbir, she keeps her hands under her sleeves to avoid showing her forearms, which are considered private, while men should let their hands out from under their shawls.
3.) Standing up, she places her right hand over her left on her chest without clasping them, but men keep their hands below their belly button and hold them together.
4.) When bending down, she leans forward to touch her knees but doesn’t straighten her back fully, whereas men straighten their back completely.
5.) While bowing, she keeps her fingers together, unlike men who spread them out.
6.) In the bowing position, she puts her palms on her knees without holding onto them, while men often grip their knees.
7.) She bends her knees while bowing, whereas men usually keep their knees straight.
8.) During bowing and prostration, she keeps her upper arms close to her body, while men tend to keep them further away.
9.) When prostrating, she rests her forearms on the ground with her upper arms close to her sides, striving for modesty by keeping her limbs together.
10.) Unlike men, she doesn’t keep her toes upright while prostrating.
11.) Sitting for tashahud, she sits with her left buttock on the floor, bending her knees to the side, and places her hands on her thighs so that her fingertips reach her knees.
12.) While sitting, she keeps her fingers together, unlike men who often spread them apart.
13.) If the Imam makes a mistake, she claps softly instead of saying ‘SubHanAllah’ like men.
14.) She doesn’t lead prayers when men are present.
15.) It’s strongly discouraged for her to participate in women’s group prayers, give the call to prayer, or lead the congregation.
16.) In a mixed gathering, she stands behind the men during prayer.
17.) While it’s not obligatory, attending the Friday sermon prayer counts as her Dhuhr prayer if she completes it.
18.) Unlike men, she isn’t required to attend the Eid prayer.
19.) It’s better for her not to delay the Fajr prayer until the sun rises, unlike men who may do so in group prayer.
20.) She doesn’t recite out loud during prayers unless she’s praying alone, in which case she should recite at a level where she can hear herself.