[al-Ḥujurāt: 3]—He praised them for lowering their voices in the presence of His Messenger without reservation. Thus they are commanded to behave accordingly in such a situation, and are forbidden to raise their voices before him, peace and blessings be upon him. As for keeping one’s voice subdued at all times in the Prophet’s presence, that is a particular, laudable form of restraint; yet a servant is certainly able to soften his voice in every circumstance, and he has not been instructed to do so absolutely. On the contrary, there are occasions when he is obliged—or at least encouraged—to raise his voice.

For this reason Allah said:

“And lower your voice.” [Luqmān: 19]

The twin commands to lower the voice and the gaze encompass everything that enters the heart and everything that departs from it: through hearing, matters enter the heart, and through the voice they emerge. In like manner He paired the two organs when He said:

“Have We not granted him two eyes, and a tongue and two lips?” [al-Balad: 8–9]

Through the eye and sight the heart comes to know things, and by the tongue and the voice the matters within the heart go forth—this is the heart’s scout, its informant and spy, while that is its interpreter.

Then He said:

“That is purer for them.” [al-Nūr: 30]

And He said:

“Take alms from their wealth so that you may purify them and cause them to grow thereby.” [al-Tawbah: 103]

And He said:

“Allah only intends to remove impurity from you, O People of the House, and to purify you completely.” [al-Aḥzāb: 33]

And, in the verse on seeking permission, He said:

“And if you are told, ‘Go back,’ then go back; that is purer for you.” [al-Nūr: 28]

And He said:

“When you ask them for anything, do so from behind a veil; that is purer for your hearts and their hearts.” [al-Aḥzāb: 53]

And He said:

“Before you confer privately, give charity; that is better for you and purer.” [al-Mujādilah: 12]