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Is It Prohibited for a Man To Listen to a Woman Sing?

Answered as per Shafi'i Fiqh by Seekersguidance.org

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question:

I’m confused about what’s haram or permissible about listening to a woman singing as a male. Even if the lyrics could be haram, my main focus is listening to the singing, especially if it is acapella.

Answer:

Assalamu alaykum,

Prohibition

Thank you for your question. It is extremely disliked in the Shafi’i school for a man to listen to singing by a woman. If instruments, lewd lyrics, and temptation were involved, it would be prohibited. See the details here:

https://islamqa.org/shafii/qibla-shafii/33927/listening-to-a-non-mahram-woman-sing/

Tone

Regarding something even lesser than this, in the Qur’an, Allah admonished the Prophet’s wives (Allah bless him and give him peace) about their manner of speech: “O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women: if you are mindful ˹of Allah˺, then do not be overly effeminate in speech ˹with men˺ or those with sickness in their hearts may be tempted, but speak in a moderate tone. “[Qur’an, 33:32]

Please see the details below:
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/is-it-haram-to-listen-to-a-woman-singing/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/living-religion/women-singing-in-public/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/listening-to-islamic-songs-with-musical-instruments/

May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.

 

This answer was collected from Seekersguidance.org. It’s an online learning platform overseen by Sheikh Faraz Rabbani. All courses are free. They also have in-person classes in Canada.

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