Purdah

Women presenters on radio stations

Q: Is it permissible to listen to the voice of a non-mahram female? Often, there is a female reading the news on the radio. Can one listen to this or should one switch it off?

Some people claim that the Sahabah (May Allah Ta'ala be pleased with them) would ask Hadhrat Aa'isha (Radiallahu Anha) rulings and learn from her. Therefore, the presence of female presenters on Islamic radio stations is fine. Is this justified?

Taking a females exam from behind a veil

Q: Can you please advise if a female is allowed to give quraan imtihaan to a Moulana from behind a veil. Generally we have Moulana's taking imtihaan in our maktab madrasahs and to accommodate the girl students who have reached the age of puberty we provide a place where they can sit and be tested on their Quraan from behind a curtain. However the Moulana's cannot see the girls at all but only listen to them reading the Quraan. Is this permissible?