It is upon the woman who fears Allaah and the hereafter to stay away from what many of the women are doing today such as being lackadaisical with the hijaab and easy-going with wearing decorative garments when going outside and being lax with using perfume when going out of the house and intermingling with men and joking with them.
Allaah, the Most High, said to His Prophet’s wives:
“Then do not be soft in speech, lest he in whose heart there is a disease (of fornication) should be moved with desire. But rather speak in an honorable manner.” [Ahzaab: 32]
If a woman has a need to speak to a man that is not one of her mahaarim, she may speak to him, but with a casual tone that has no softness or gentleness in it, and not in a joking or laughing manner.
Rather her speech must be ordinary and in accordance with what necessity dictates – i.e. a question and an answer – as per the need only.
She must not speak in a tone that appears friendly, laughing or teasing, or in a mellow or beautiful voice, thus stirring the desire of the one who has a disease in his heart. This is based on Allaah’s saying:
“But rather speak in an honorable manner.” [Ahzaab: 32]
So the Muslim women of today must fear Allaah with respect to themselves and their societies.
Source: Four Essays On The Obligation Of Veiling, Chapter: “Advice To Muslim Women” by Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzaan, Page 72