Quranic recitation by the sisters

28-6-2005 | IslamWeb

Question:

Please in a Muslim organization of some few brothers and sisters, they hold Quranic memorization weekly, after the lesson the leader asks the people to recite individually to ascertain their understanding of it. Please can the sisters also recite audibly and if they can, should they sonorously or just like normal conversation?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

 

The preponderant opinion of the Muslim scholars is that the voice of a woman is not an 'Awrah (i.e forbidden for men to listen to) due to the fact that women used to talk in the presence of men during the era of the Prophet and he did not object to it. The other proof that supports this opinion is that the mothers of the believers used to address the men. What is prohibited is being soft in speech i.e. making it soft and attractive which, most likely could lead to temptation. Allaah Says (what means): {Do not be soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is disease should covet, but speak with appropriate speech.} [Quran 33:32] The verse prohibits being soft in speech and allows talking in appropriate speech.

Therefore, based on the aforementioned facts and for the predominant advantage, there is no harm for a woman to recite loudly for her teacher to correct her recitation. But she has to recite in a normal voice without making it soft, attractive or pleasant in order to avoid any kind of temptation.

You should know that the Muslim jurists have clearly mentioned that a woman should not raise her voice while praying in the presence of marriageable men because one normally beautifies his/her voice during the recitation. Also, there is no considerable advantage in her raising her voice during the prayer contrarily to the situation you are asking about.

For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 99373 and 90296.

Allaah Knows best.