Women Singing in Public
Question: It is acceptable for Muslim women to sing or recite Qur’an in public?
Answer:
Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
Dear questioner,
Thank you for your important question.
It is generally discouraged (makruh) for women to sing or recite Qur’an in the presence of men. If the singing was attractive or seductive it would be definitely haram (Bushra al Karim, Ba Ishn).
If the type of song, the setting, the dress of the woman would all give on the sense that there is clearly no fear of attractiveness, then it would be merely offensive, and not forbidden. However, if an individual, for example, a man himself found it attractive, the sin would be on him for listening.
There is a hadith in Sahih Bukhari that clearly states that on Eid some girls sung in the presence of Aisha and the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace). Had it been forbidden, he would have stopped them (Fath al Bari, Ibn Hajar).
Notice though that the setting was not public. It was a small occasion, something like one’s nieces singing a naat for the family on Eid.
Commenting on the hadith, Ibn Hajar al Asqalani adds, ‘It goes without saying that this would only be permissible if they was no fear of attraction.’
Please also see:
https://seekers.flywheelstaging.com/answers/general-counsel/listening-to-islamic-songs-with-musical-instruments/
https://seekers.flywheelstaging.com/articles/women/muslim-convert-opera-singer-embracing-islam/
https://islamqa.org/hanafi/daruliftaa/7914
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHabZc17JWI
I pray this helps.
[Ustadh] Farid
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language
