What is the ruling on learning music in a mixed-gender institute that requires repeating notes in front of non-mahram men, knowing that the verse prohibiting a submissive tone of voice was revealed in the context of addressing the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him)? How do we differentiate between rulings specific to the Mothers of the Believers and those directed to all believing women?

Specializing in the science of music and listening to it is forbidden by the consensus of scholars. Studying in mixed institutions is a great evil and is not permissible except in cases of extreme necessity. So, what if the subject of study is forbidden? "Khudu' bil-qawl" (being soft in speech) means softening and thinning one's voice and making one's speech gentle to men in a way that makes them desire the woman. The prohibition for the Prophet's wives against "khudu' bil-qawl" includes all women, because they are more deserving of it due to the purity of the hearts of the Prophet's wives, and because the lesson lies in the generality of the wording, not the specificity of the reason.