Source: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ-e-Ḥadīth, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Volume 1
Is it permissible to speak with a non-maḥram woman if she observes proper hijāb?
Yes, it is permissible to speak with a non-maḥram woman under necessity, provided that there is no fear of fitnah (temptation) and proper Sharʿī boundaries are strictly observed.
The Companions (Ṣaḥābah) used to ask Sayyidah ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها) questions regarding religious matters from behind a screen (ḥijāb). However, this permission is conditional:
✔ The interaction must be necessary (such as for seeking religious guidance, business, or essential conversation).
✔ The woman must be fully covered (with proper ḥijāb).
✔ The tone must not be soft or flirtatious, as Islam strictly prohibits soft speech with non-maḥram men.
﴿يَا نِسَاءَ النَّبِيِّ لَسْتُنَّ كَأَحَدٍ مِّنَ النِّسَاءِ إِنِ اتَّقَيْتُنَّ فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ بِالْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ الَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِ مَرَضٌ وَقُلْنَ قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوفًا﴾
"O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women if you fear Allah. So do not speak in a soft tone, lest he in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire, but speak in an appropriate manner."
— Surah al-Aḥzāb: 32
﴿وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ﴾
"And when you ask them [the Prophet’s wives] for anything, ask them from behind a screen."
— Surah al-Aḥzāb: 53
Allah ﷻ has placed natural allure and softness in a woman's voice, which may attract men. This is why women are commanded to:
Avoid speaking in a gentle or alluring tone.
Maintain a firm, straightforward, and modest speech style.
This firmness is only in tone, not in using inappropriate or harsh words. Communication should always remain within the limits of decency and necessity.
Allah has linked these guidelines to those who possess taqwā (piety):
"إِنِ اتَّقَيْتُنَّ" — "If you fear Allah..."
Those who are truly concerned for their Ākhirah (Hereafter) will heed these commandments. Those lacking fear of Allah will naturally disregard such divine limits.
✔ Speaking with a non-maḥram woman is permitted only in cases of necessity.
✔ The woman must observe proper hijāb and modesty.
✔ The tone must not be soft or alluring; it must be firm and formal.
✔ Speech should remain within limits set by the Sharī‘ah.
❖ Question
Is it permissible to speak with a non-maḥram woman if she observes proper hijāb?
❖ Answer
Yes, it is permissible to speak with a non-maḥram woman under necessity, provided that there is no fear of fitnah (temptation) and proper Sharʿī boundaries are strictly observed.
The Companions (Ṣaḥābah) used to ask Sayyidah ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها) questions regarding religious matters from behind a screen (ḥijāb). However, this permission is conditional:
✔ The interaction must be necessary (such as for seeking religious guidance, business, or essential conversation).
✔ The woman must be fully covered (with proper ḥijāb).
✔ The tone must not be soft or flirtatious, as Islam strictly prohibits soft speech with non-maḥram men.
❖ Qur’ānic Evidence:
﴿يَا نِسَاءَ النَّبِيِّ لَسْتُنَّ كَأَحَدٍ مِّنَ النِّسَاءِ إِنِ اتَّقَيْتُنَّ فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ بِالْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ الَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِ مَرَضٌ وَقُلْنَ قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوفًا﴾
"O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women if you fear Allah. So do not speak in a soft tone, lest he in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire, but speak in an appropriate manner."
— Surah al-Aḥzāb: 32
﴿وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ﴾
"And when you ask them [the Prophet’s wives] for anything, ask them from behind a screen."
— Surah al-Aḥzāb: 53
❖ The Fitnah of the Female Voice
Allah ﷻ has placed natural allure and softness in a woman's voice, which may attract men. This is why women are commanded to:
Avoid speaking in a gentle or alluring tone.
Maintain a firm, straightforward, and modest speech style.
This firmness is only in tone, not in using inappropriate or harsh words. Communication should always remain within the limits of decency and necessity.
❖ A Warning for the God-Conscious
Allah has linked these guidelines to those who possess taqwā (piety):
"إِنِ اتَّقَيْتُنَّ" — "If you fear Allah..."
Those who are truly concerned for their Ākhirah (Hereafter) will heed these commandments. Those lacking fear of Allah will naturally disregard such divine limits.
❖ Summary of Guidelines:
✔ Speaking with a non-maḥram woman is permitted only in cases of necessity.
✔ The woman must observe proper hijāb and modesty.
✔ The tone must not be soft or alluring; it must be firm and formal.
✔ Speech should remain within limits set by the Sharī‘ah.
