QUESTION:
Will it be permissible for a female studying Tajweed and Qira’at under a male Ustaadh, to recite in a tune with the sole purpose of perfecting and rectifying intricate errors in recitation?
ANSWER:
It is not permissible for females to study Qiraat under male Asaatizah and recite to them. Ibn Humam Rahimahullah has stated that the voice is Purdah based on a narration of Nawaazil, hence it is Makrooh for a female to call out the Adhaan in the Hanafi Madhab. Some Ulama have argued that the wives of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam would discuss with Ghair Mahaarim behind Purdah after the command of Hijaab was revealed. The response to this objection is that, if there is no fear of Fitnah then it would be acceptable (hence the wives of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) discussed Deeni matters with Sahaabah behind a veil. However, when there is a fear of Fitnah (as is the case in our times), then the voice of a woman should be concealed. [Jamaalain Pg.431 Vol.4] In conclusion, it is not permissible for a female to be reciting to a male Ustaadh due to strong fear of Fitnah. Below we have reproduced a Fatwa in regards to male Asaatizah being discouraged from teaching female children at Maktab level. When this is the ruling in regards to small children who haven’t yet reached puberty, then the ruling regarding adults is far more stringent.
It is best that female teachers educate girls irrespective of their age. Maulana Thanvi Rahimahullah has written that if there aren’t any female teachers, then a girl can be educated by a male teacher with the proviso that she is under nine years of age. [Re:- Kitaabun Nawaazil Pg.262 Vol.14] However, the era of Hadrat Thanvi Rahimahullah was a better era than ours and Fitnah was not widespread as it is in our times. Secondly, there is no shortage of female teachers in our generation, hence we advise that Muslim girls should be educated by female teachers only. Similarly, boys should be educated by male teachers only since there is no shortage of male teachers. The ideal situation would be to have a separate Maktab for males and a separate Maktab for females so that there is no intermingling whatsoever.
ALLAH TA’ALA IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 08 Muharram 1446 / 15 July 2024