Is a woman’s voice awarah?
هل صوت المرأة عورة؟
Is a woman’s voice awarah?
هل صوت المرأة عورة؟
Answer
Praise be to Allah, and may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family and his companions.
As to what follows:
With regards to answering your question we say, success is by Allah Almighty.
The scholars differed into 2 opinions as to whether a woman’s voice is awrah or not. What indicates that a woman’s voice is not awrah is the apparent Quranic and Sunnah text. This is the view held by majority of scholars and also the more correct opinion held by the Hanafites and the recognised opinion by the Malikites, Shafites and Hanbalites. This view was held on condition that there must not be any vagueness or lust in her speech.
There is no doubt that it is prohibited to listen to a woman for the sole purpose of enjoying her voice.
Indeed The Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) said:
“And the adultery of the ears is listening to voluptuous (song or talk)” [reported by Muslim (2657) on the authority of Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him)]
And Allah knows best.
Your brother,
Dr. Khalid al-Muslih
18 / 12 / 1424 AH