My Dear Sisters: Please Don't Soften Your Voice

Bismillah. Assalamu'alaykum..

A reminder for us all today!

..فَلاَ تَخْضَعْنَ بِالْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ الَّذِى فِى قَلْبِهِ مَرَضٌ وَقُلْنَ قَوْلاً مَّعْرُوفاً..

“..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] 

My beloved sisters, let's not soften our speech when talking to men. Let's see what scholars say about this (tafseer of the above ayah/verse) :

al-Qurtubi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in his Tafseer:

Allaah commanded them to make their speech serious and straightforward, and their posture and gestures should not convey and wrong ideas, as the Arab women used to do when speaking to men, by making the voice soft and gentle, like the speech of immoral women and prostitutes; He forbade them to do that.

It says in Mughni al-Muhtaaj (4/210), a book of Shaafa’i fiqh:

The woman’s voice is not ‘awrah, and it is permissible to listen to it if there is no fear of fitnah, but it is recommended for her to make her voice unappealing if there is a knock at the door, so she should not answer in a gentle voice, rather she should make it harsh by putting her hand over her mouth.

It says in Kashshaaf al-Qinaa’ (5/15), a book of Hanbali fiqh:

The voice (of a non-mahram woman) is not ‘awrah. It says in al-Furoo’ and elsewhere: according to the more correct opinion, it is haraam to gain pleasure from listening to it, even if she is reciting Qur’aan, for fear of fitnah. 

It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (17/202):

The woman’s voice is not haraam in and of itself, and it is not haraam to listen to it unless there is some softness and gentleness in speech. It is haraam for a woman to speak in such a manner to anyone other than her husband, and it is haraam for men other than her husband to listen to it

I won't advice you to shout/raise your voice (to its highest pitch) to men when talking/dealing with them nor am i telling you to CUT OFF your communication completely with them when THERE IS A GREAT NEED for you to deal with them (When i say NEED, it really means NEED a.k.a you don't find ANY OTHER SISTERS to help you) But please don't soften your (readily womanly-soft) voice. Sisters, you know what i'm talking about- when a woman starts giggling here and there with her widest smile on face that her face is full with 'nur' + her cute lil' voice talking innocently to men. God, cair hati lelaki.. (Wa'iyadzhubillah!)

*side-note: Men please lower your gaze (It's in surah an-Nur: 30) and then women too (An-Nur: 31) To my niqabi sisters, it's more important for you to observe your speech since nothing appears from you-except your voice! But that's the best part of being niqabi and fully covered- the hidden face and expression. :)

So minimize your conversation to men (non-mahram,stranger-men) and speak what's important only! (Give them no chance to be 'hanky-panky' with you. Once things done between you and the guy, walk away!)

As Syaykh Salih Munajjid once advised:

It is permissible for a woman to speak in the presence of non-mahram men in cases of necessity, subject to the condition that the speech is straightforward and serious and there is no softness, temptation or provocation in her voice. Her voice is not ‘awrah according to the correct scholarly view. Women used to speak to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and ask him questions, and they used to speak to the Sahaabah about their needs, and they were not denounced for doing so. 

Again. Be professional in dealing with men, talk only what's necessary, have Allah in heart. Be mindful of Allah..

Have taqwa my lovely sisters. Allah's watching you!

And Allah knows best. Wallahua'alam.

(A humble note with A GREAT REMINDER for the forgetful me, before reminding others)

With SO MUCH LOVE to my sweet sisters, wassalam.