❀ Islamic Ruling on a Woman’s Voice and Observing Hijab ❀
This fatwa is derived from the compilation “500 Questions and Answers for Women” based on the rulings of the scholars of the Haramain, translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.
It is said that a woman's voice is part of her ḥijāb (cover). Is this correct?
A woman, by nature, becomes a source of attraction due to the desires that men inherently possess. Because of the lustful inclinations that men harbor, any expression of affection, flirtation, or softness in a woman's speech can intensify temptation and lead to greater fitnah (trial).
For this reason, Allah ﷻ instructed the believers that when they must speak to the wives of the Prophet ﷺ, they should do so from behind a curtain or screen:
﴿وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ﴾
“And when you ask them (the wives of the Prophet) for anything, ask them from behind a screen. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.”
[Sūrah al-Aḥzāb: 53]
Similarly, women are commanded not to speak in a soft or enticing tone when addressing men, lest it incite desire in those whose hearts are diseased:
﴿فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ بِالْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ الَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِ مَرَضٌ﴾
“Then do not be soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is disease should covet.”
[Sūrah al-Aḥzāb: 32]
If such guidelines were issued regarding the pure-hearted Companions (Ṣaḥābah), then how much more cautious should we be in our times when faith has weakened and religious commitment has diminished?
Therefore, a woman should limit interactions and conversations with non-maḥram men to only those situations of genuine need, and even then, she must avoid using a soft or affectionate tone, as made clear by the above verse.
From this, it becomes evident that:
A woman’s voice, when free of softness and flirtation, is not ḥijāb in and of itself.
Women in the time of the Prophet ﷺ would ask him questions, and they would also communicate with the male Companions regarding necessary matters. No one objected to this, as long as proper boundaries were maintained.
Wa billāh al-Tawfīq.
(Fatwa by: Shaykh Ibn Bāz raḥimahullāh)
This fatwa is derived from the compilation “500 Questions and Answers for Women” based on the rulings of the scholars of the Haramain, translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.
❖ Question:
It is said that a woman's voice is part of her ḥijāb (cover). Is this correct?
❖ Answer:
A woman, by nature, becomes a source of attraction due to the desires that men inherently possess. Because of the lustful inclinations that men harbor, any expression of affection, flirtation, or softness in a woman's speech can intensify temptation and lead to greater fitnah (trial).
For this reason, Allah ﷻ instructed the believers that when they must speak to the wives of the Prophet ﷺ, they should do so from behind a curtain or screen:
﴿وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ﴾
“And when you ask them (the wives of the Prophet) for anything, ask them from behind a screen. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.”
[Sūrah al-Aḥzāb: 53]
Similarly, women are commanded not to speak in a soft or enticing tone when addressing men, lest it incite desire in those whose hearts are diseased:
﴿فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ بِالْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ الَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِ مَرَضٌ﴾
“Then do not be soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is disease should covet.”
[Sūrah al-Aḥzāb: 32]
If such guidelines were issued regarding the pure-hearted Companions (Ṣaḥābah), then how much more cautious should we be in our times when faith has weakened and religious commitment has diminished?
Therefore, a woman should limit interactions and conversations with non-maḥram men to only those situations of genuine need, and even then, she must avoid using a soft or affectionate tone, as made clear by the above verse.
From this, it becomes evident that:
A woman’s voice, when free of softness and flirtation, is not ḥijāb in and of itself.Women in the time of the Prophet ﷺ would ask him questions, and they would also communicate with the male Companions regarding necessary matters. No one objected to this, as long as proper boundaries were maintained.
Wa billāh al-Tawfīq.
(Fatwa by: Shaykh Ibn Bāz raḥimahullāh)
