The Permanent Standing Committee
& Sheikh Saalih al Fawzaan حفظه
الله
The Permanent Standing Committee said:
“The woman’s voice is not ‘awrah in principle, for women used to complain to
the Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم,
and ask him about Islaamic matters. They also did that with the
rightly-guided Khaleefahsرضي الله عنهم and the rulers
after them. And they would greet non-mahram men with salaams and return
greetings, and none of the imâms of Islaam denounced them for that. But it is NOT permissible for a woman to speak in a soft
or alluring voice, because Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى says:
يَا نِسَاء النَّبِيِّ لَسْتُنَّ كَأَحَدٍ مِّنَ النِّسَاء 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 keep your duty (to Allaah),
then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy,
or evil desire for adultery) should be moved with desire, but speak in an
honourable manner.”
[al-Ahzaab 33:32]
because men may be tempted by that, as is
indicated by this aayah. And Allaah is the source of strength.
(Ref: Fataawa
al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Iftaa, 6/83.)
Sheikh Saalih al-Fawzaan حفظه الله said: