Is It Impermissible for Women to Speak Publicly Because Their Voices Are ’Awra?


Shafi'i Fiqh

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

I heard that it is not permissible for a woman to do speeches and give da‘wa to other people and have her voice circulated on social media as it’s her ‘awra. Please clarify because, in this modern era, the Muslim umma really needs strong female figures to help guide the sisters.

Answer

Thank you for your question. A woman’s voice is not ‘awra, so it is permissible for her to speak publicly as long as she is covered correctly.

Please see the details here:
Is a woman’s voice ‘awra?
Why Are Women Accountable for All the Fitna in the World and Men Are Not?
Can Muslim Women Be Imams?

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, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.