THE GAZE

Among the spiritual evils of man is the deliberate practice of the vicious look, which is an arrow of Satan, the accursed. Let it be known that every action that is contrary to the commands of Allah Ta'ala is a sin. The gaze can generate harmful thoughts, and that is why, to avoid complications (such as progressing from the gaze to adultery), Islam firmly instructs us to lower our eyes. In this regard, the Qur'an-e-Majid commands:

"Tell the believing men that they should lower their gazes and guard their chastity. This is purer for them. Allah is informed of what they do. Tell the believing women that they should lower their gazes and preserve their chastity..." (24:30-31)

Deliberately directing one's gaze at women or young girls with whom there is no bond of Nikah is a very serious evil that darkens the soul and diminishes the sweetness and effectiveness of Ibaadah. Thus, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said that averting the gaze that accidentally falls on the beauty of a woman or girl brings sweetness to Ibaadah. From this narration in Musnad Ahmad, we deduce the following points:

1. An involuntary glance at the person of a woman or girl must be averted immediately.
2. It is not permissible to look at women or girls intentionally and deliberately.
3. The reward for controlling one's gaze out of the fear of Allah is the creation of Nur (light) and spiritual sweetness in Ibaadah.

The following points concern the harmful consequences of deliberately looking at women or girls with whom there is no bond of Nikah:

1. The anger and curse of Allah Ta'ala descend upon the shameless peeper.
2. The Prophet Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said: "The man who looks at a woman with a vicious intention will have molten lead poured into his eyes on the Day of Qiyamah as punishment."
3. The splendour of Imaan (faith) is tarnished.
4. The sweetness in Ibaadah is taken away.

Those who are involved in this disease of looking at ghair mahram (non-mahram women) should remember that their glances are recorded by the angels, and that Allah Ta'ala is all-watchful over their secret and malicious glances. They should cure this disease by constantly remembering that there is always the One who knows and sees everything—even the movements of the eyes and the most hidden thoughts of the mind.

[English version of "Le regard" – Al Haadi – Vol. 2 No. 5]