Females Conducting Public Lectures
QUESTION:
A very concerning matter facing us here in the UK and I believe, in many other countries. The matter is that some ladies have opened the door of going from place to place and giving Bayaans. They put together conferences where they attract audiences based on their skills in language and the ability to deliver an entertaining talk. Men have full access to listen to them live,or to the saved video recordings. Some ladies carry out this while in Niqaab, and some without.
These women openly encourage other ladies to do the same, and as a result there are teams of such ladies going around almost like Sheikh and Mureeds. They attract big followings and people are being misled to believe that the Saahaabiyaat Radiallahu Anhun would also lecture and advise men in matters of Deen. is there any allowance for such gatherings in Shari’ah?
ANSWER:
It is not permissible for a woman to expose her face in the presence of Ghair Mahrams. (Ghair Mahram is a person with whom marriage is permissible)
It is mentioned in the noble Qur’aan:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا﴾
[ الأحزاب: 59]
“O Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their veils. That will be better, that they should be known so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
This Aayah specifically commands the covering of the face of a woman in the presence of strange men.
In another verse, Allah Ta’ala states:
وقرن في بيوتكن ولا تبرجن تبرج الجاهلية الأولى وأقمن الصلاة وآتين الزكاة وَأَطِعْنَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۚ
[ الأحزاب: 33]
“And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance, and perform Salaah, and give Zakaah and obey Allah and His Messenger Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.”
Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi Rahimahullah states in Imdaadul Fatawaa that it is certainly (Haraam) prohibited for a woman to come in front of a Ghair Mahram (strange man). (Imdaadul Fataawa vol.2 pg.122)
From the above, we understand that it is absolutely impermissible for women to leave their homes, go on stages and give lectures. This will be a cause of spreading more Fitnah rather than any guidance.
Furthermore, a woman’s voice has the ability to lure men as stated in the Quraan Majeed. Allah Ta’ala states to the beloved wives of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam:
يَا نِسَاءَ النَّبِيِّ لَسْتُنَّ كَأَحَدٍ مِّنَ النِّسَاءِ ۚ إِنِ اتَّقَيْتُنَّ فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ بِالْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ الَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِ مَرَضٌ وَقُلْنَ قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوفًا
[ الأحزاب: 32]
“Do not speak in soft (alluring) tones (with men) for them, he in whose heart there is a disease will lust.”(Ahzaab Aayat 33)
In conclusion, we strongly disagree with the liberal attitude and the diluted version of Islam being portrayed by these women. May Allah Ta’ala guide them and keep us on the straight path, Aameen.
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani
Date: 13 Rajab 1447 / 03 January 2026
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb