Ruling on women teaching men by Shaykh Bin Baz
Question: Is it permissible for a woman to preach to a group of people in which there are men and women, through loudspeakers and to video record this lecture and then circulate it inside and outside the country for the sake of the religion (i.e spreading knowledge). Is there a rule in Islam called: the end justifies the means?
Answer by Shaykh Bin Baz : “There is nothing wrong with this speech, a woman can preach people and remind them even if men are present, there is no objection to that when it is done using a normal voice and not sounding submissive or using any other impermissible voice (i.e softening the voice), as the Most High said:
“O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allah), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery, etc.) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner”. [Al-Ahzab: 32].
Therefore (there is nothing wrong) if the given speech is beneficial and kind without any blameworthiness in it, and what it is intended is just to advise, just as the Sahaabiyaat and non Sahaabiyaat used to advise men and women likewise.
Allah the Almighty says:
“The believers, men and women, are Auliya’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden)”. [Tawba: 71]
“And who is better in speech than he who [says: “My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness),” and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah’s (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: “I am one of the Muslims”.[Fussilat : 33].
This applies to all men and women.
Therefore, if she preaches, reminds and calls people to Allah then there is nothing wrong with that, on the condition that she doesn’t freely mix or stays alone with any man without her mahram being present and she is also fully covered, then it is okay.
As for photography this is not allowed. She can only be recorded if she is fully covered including her face, then there is no harm. However, video recording should be avoided in these matters and she should be recorded without a picture. This is because the image is originally forbidden, as the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said: “ Verily, among the most severely punished on the Day of Resurrection are those who make such images”.
So, there is no need for video recording and only her speech is recorded. The speech and the reminders are recorded and Allah will make it a benefit to whomever He wills without the need of any photography.
Source: حكم محاضرة المرأة للرجال وتصوير المحاضرة (binbaz.org.sa)
binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/6093/9
Translated by Religion-of-Islam
