A Male Taking A Female Student’s Quraan Examination

In the Quraan Sharif Allah Ta’aala addresses and instructs the pure wives of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam:

فلا تخضعن بالقول

Do not speak in lowered tones (sweet tones)

These were the mothers of the Ummat, living in the best of eras, who enjoyed the Suhbat of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam yet they are instructed not to speak in a sweet tone which is generally a natural tone for women. Obviously, the speaking in the verse refers to such a time when the woman’s Maharim are not available and the woman has no option but to speak to a man due to necessity. If a Mahram of the woman is available then she should communicate with the man concerned via that Mahram and not directly. The Ulema have written that it is permissible for a woman to speak to a strange man (in the absence of Maharim) when there is a dire need and there is no fear of them getting involved in any Fitna.

Due to the above verse of the Quraan the pure wives of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam and the honourable mothers of the Ummat would place their hands over their mouths so that their voices would change when there was a need to speak to a man out of necessity.

In a Hadith Hadrat Amr Ibn Aas Radiallahu Anhu reports:

Verily Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam had prohibited that women speak (to men) except with the permission of the husbands.

The verse and Hadith prove that, in order to avoid Fitna, many restrictions have been laid down, even with regard to a woman’s voice. These restrictions have adhered to in the various forms of Ibaadaat so that the voice of the women is not heard by men. For example. If the Imaam was to err in Salaah then it is not permissible for a woman to correct him verbally but instead she will hit the inner palm of one hand onto the outer palm of the other hand by which the Imaam is made alert.

When such a great deal of emphasis has been laid on the voice of a woman in Shariah then a Deeni institute should also be cautious in this regard. Alhamdulillah, there is Purda between the examiner and the student but that is not sufficient. Actually our senior Akaabireen were of the opinion that an Aalima in the family should teach the girls at home, or in the absence of a family Aalima any other Aalima of the locality should fulfill this task.

However, since these girls are attending our institutes the responsible brothers, principal, trustees should ensure that proper Purda is observed whereby the Baaligh girls are educated only by females in a class located on the Madrasah premises where minimum intermingling take place. In conclusion, with regard to your specific question, the examinations should also be taken by females as there is no need to get a male examiner when females are available.