Can a woman give a lecture in front of audience that includes non-mahram men that can see her?

Question

I am trying to convince someone near and dear to me that a muslimah cannot give a lecture in front of non-mahram unless it is behind a screen or curtain, but then she says, "What abouta muslim guy?" and I tell her that a man can, while a woman can not and she responds that she doesn't believe that I am right, that if a woman can not give a speech in front of non-mahram males, then a man can't in front of non-mahram females if they aren't muslim, and even if they are, should be hijab-wearing. Am I right that a woman cannot in front of non-mahram males, but a man can in front of non-mahram females, even if they are kafir or dont wear hijab....or is she right that either both can, or both cannot?....Jazakullahu khair

Mufti Ebrahim Desai · Accepted Answer

It is not permissible for a woman to expose her face in the presence of Ghayr Mahrams.

It is mentioned in the noble Qur'aan, 'They (the women) should draw veils upon themselves by means of their garments.' (Surah Ahzaab).

This Aayat specifically commands the covering of the face of a woman in the presence of strange men. Allah Ta'ala states, 'And remain within your homes and do not go about displaying yourselves as was the custom of displayment during the time of ancient ignorance.' (Surah Ahzaab).

After the revelation of this verse, the Muslim woman during the time of the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) began covering their faces with veils. The habit of walking with an exposed face was stopped. Without any valid reason no woman left her home.

Hadhrat Thanwi (RA) has written, 'It is certainly (Haraam) prohibited for a woman to come in front of a Ghayr Mahram (strange men).' (Imdaadul Fataawa vol.2 pg.122)

Ghayr Mahram is a person with whom marriage is permissible. Allah Ta'ala states, 'When you ask the wives of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) for something, ask them from behind a curtain, in it there is excellent purity for your hearts and theirs.' (Ahzaab)

Here, the Sahaaba (Radhiallaahu Anhum) are being ordered to ask questions and to speak to the pure wives of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) behind a curtain. This is an order and command for pure souls. So, who are we to consider ourselves free of this command. From this Aayaat, were learn that it is not permissible for a male to give a lecture to woman without any Hijaab (curtain, screen, etc.)

The Female Voice
Allah Ta'ala states to the beloved wives of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), 'Do not speak in soft (alluring) tones (with men) for them, he in whose heart there is a disease will lust.' (Ahzaab Aayat 33)

The female voice possesses the ability to incite passion in man. In the libertine of the west, this ability is even cultivated and intensified under tuition. Allah Ta'ala, the Creator, being fully aware of the propensities of all things He has created commands that exercise Hijaab on even their voices and not speak to men. When there is a need to speak in, she should not adorn her voice, may not speak in soft and alluring tones, or seductively. She should speak from behind a screen with harshness in her voice.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.

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