Q: Is it permissible to listen to the voice of a non-mahram female? Often, there is a female reading the news on the radio. Can one listen to this or should one switch it off? Some people claim that the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) would ask Hazrat ‘Aa’ishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) rulings and learn from her. Therefore, the presence of female presenters on Islamic radio stations is fine. Is this justified?

A: Shari‘ah commands segregation between non mahram men and women. The reason for this command is that non mahram men and women freely intermingling and casually interacting among themselves leads to many evils and sins. Allah Ta'ala commands women in the Holy Qur'an thus:

وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَىٰ ﴿الأحزاب:33﴾

Remain within the confines of your homes and do not leave your homes displaying your beauty and attraction, in the manner that the women of the days of ignorance would display their beauty.