Allah (swt)’s command to Lower our gaze (part-1)
Assalam oalaikum,
Allah (swt) says in the Holy Quran, Surah Noor, verse 30 & 31:
(24:30) (O Prophet), instruct believing men to cast down their looks and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Surely Allah is well aware of all what they do.
(24:31) And instruct believing women to cast down their looks and guard their private parts and not reveal their adornment except that which is revealed of itself, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their husbands, or their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands, or of their own sons, or the sons of their husbands, or their brothers, or the sons of their brothers, or the sons of their sisters, or the women with whom they associate, or those that are in their bondage, or the male attendants in their service free of sexual interest, or boys that are yet unaware of illicit matters pertaining to women. Nor should they stamp their feet on the ground in such manner that their hidden ornament becomes revealed. Believers, turn together, all of you, to Allah in repentance that you may attain true success
In the above mentioned verses Allah (swt) has ordered men and women not to ogle at the opposite sex. Men should not glance at women lustfully and vice versa. If a man’s eye falls on a nude picture of a woman, vulgar scene etc so he is expected to look away. The way, in which Prophet Mohammad (saw) has explained the meaning of these verses, the meaning becomes lucid. He said that except for the wife and other mahram women, the other women should not be stared at. Here are a few ahadith that elucidate this topic:
Prophet Mohammad (saw) said: “O Ali, do not follow a glance with another, for you will be forgiven for the first, but not for the second.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 2701; see Saheeh al-Jaami’, 7953)
In another hadith Abu Huraira reported Allah's Apostle (saw) as saying: Verily Allah has fixed the very portion of adultery which a man will indulge in, and which he of necessity must commit. The adultery of the eye is the lustful look, and the adultery of the tongue is the licentious speech, the heart desires and yearns, which the parts may or may not put into effect. (The Book of Destiny (Kitab-ul-Qadr)' of Sahih Muslim.)
Sulayman ibn Yasar reported that 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, had al-Fadl ibn 'Abbas ride behind him on the Day of Sacrifice on the back of his camel. Al-Fadl was a handsome man. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, stopped to give verdicts to the people. A woman of Khath'am with a beautiful face came up to ask the Messenger of Allah for a verdict. Al-Fadl began to look at her and admire her beauty. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, turned around and al-Fadl was looking at her. He put his hand behind him and took the chin of al-Fadl and turned his face away from looking at her. She said, 'Messenger of Allah, Allah has made going on hajj obligatory for His slaves and my father is a very old man and cannot remain firm in his seat when riding. Can I go on hajj for him?' He said, 'Yes (Sahih bukhari Chapter 82. Book of Asking Permission to Enter)
2 Al-Baqara (The Cow), سورة البقرة
3 Al-Imran (The Family of Imran),سورة آل عمران
4 An-Nisa (The Women),سورة النساء
remember me in your prayers
amel soname
