Q: Please can mufti saheb explain the aspect of a women’s voice being part of the pardha? Someone has presented arguments that in time of Sahaba this was not found and they used to talk to Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and that one of Imam shafi RA teachers was a woman.
A: The Quran has gone to great lengths in protecting the ummah from falling into fitna. Allah Ta’ala says in the Holy Quran instructing women:
وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ
And Women should not stamp their feet (when walking) so that the beauty and adornment they conceal should not become exposed to men.
Mufti Shafee Saheb (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) mentions under the commentary of this verse in Ma’ariful Quran that when the Quran has so strongly emphasised that women should not stamp their feet when walking so that men do not become attracted towards them, then how much more necessary it would be for them to conceal their voice which is a greater medium of attraction. Mufti Shafee Saheb further explains that it is recorded in the Nawaazil kitaabs of the hanafi fiqh that women should acquire the knowledge of Deen from women. As far as Imam Shaafi (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) learning under certain women teachers, then this was based on a need which existed in that era. Since the need no longer exists then why should we insist that men study under women? More so when the fitna witnessed everywhere in these times is uncontrollable and unavoidable.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)