Sheikh Anwar-Al-Awlaki

Question:-

Is it permissible to listen to the talks of Sheikh Anwar Al Awlaki? Recently, I was listening to his series on Seerah wherein he mentioned that considering the voices of women as Awrah is an extreme view. I know this is in contradiction to the view of our seniors, hence me asking?

Answer:-

We assume that you are referring to Anwar Nasser al-Awlaki, an American Imaam who was killed in 2011 in Yemen. It seems that he was a university graduate and a well-known YouTube speaker that spoke on various topics. We have no other information with regard to him or his lectures, as we have not heard any of his discourses. If after listening to his discourses, you find that his views contradict the views of the mainstream Ulama of the Hanafi Madhab, then you should refrain from listening to his discourses. Also, we are not in favour of photography and videos of speakers, hence we discourage listening to YouTube speakers.

The correct view with regard to the voice of women is that the voice of a female should be concealed. In other words, the laws of Purdah pertain to the voice of a female. Hence, it is not permissible for women to speak before men without a genuine need. [Re:- Kifaayatul Mufti Pg.269 Vol.12]

Hadrat Mufti Mahmood Hassan Saheb Gangohi Rahimahullah states, “The Ulama have written that it is not permissible for women to perform Salaah in the Masjid with Jamaat, whether they don the Burqah or not, as there is a fear of great corruption and Fitnah. Hence, her speaking or lecturing in a gathering of men (without a need) is prohibited.” [Re:- Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah Pg.195-197 Vol.19]        

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 25 Rabi-Ul-Aakhir 1444 / 20 November 2022