Can mature girls pray nasheeds publicly?

Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah’s guidance)

Allah Ta’ala says in Surah al-Ahzab:

“O wives of the Prophet! You are not like other women, if you are God – fearing. So do not be soft in speech. Lest in whose heart is disease should be moved with desire “(V:32).

This verse indicates that men and women should not talk unnecessarily and when they do so, both the content and manner of conversation must be appropriate, and free of anything inciting.

Imam Abu Abd Allah al-Qurtubi (Allah have mercy on him) writes in his famous Tafseer of the Qur’an, al-Jami li Ahkam al-Qur’an:

“It was a custom of Arab women in the days of ignorance (Jahiliyya) to speak to men in a soft and inciting way. This was prohibited by this verse of the Qur’an.”

So It is therefore, not appropriate for females to pray Nasheeds etc, on a radio as it will be heard by Ghair Mahram males, as this may lead to Fitna. The voice of a female is Awrah (Awra is that which must be kept hidden) for Ghair Mahram males, (to stretch, soften and raise their voice in a melodious way, will only be considered as Awrah, this is according to the preferred opinion in the Hanafi school. however, It will be permissible for women to converse with non-Mahram men at the time of need (and visa versa, m)). It is also not permissible if the voice is alluring or it results in evil intentions and thoughts.

From the contemporary scholars, Dr. Wahaba al-Zuhayli from Damascus writes in his famous ‘al-Fiqh al-Islami wa Adillatuhu:

“It is Haram (unlawful) to listen to the voice of a female, which is in a melodious and musical tone, even if it is by reciting Qur’an” (Vol:1, P755).

It is clearly understood from the above that a male should avoid listening to non Mahram females. Similarly, females should not pray Nashhed etc, in the presence of non Mahram males or reciting on a radio or recording their voices and then distributing it.

And Only Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.

————————————–
Moulana Qamruz Zaman
London, UK