It would be difficult to admit that most of the serious sins as adultery can start from something as simple as gaze! That is why Allah made purification and growth of the soul to be the outcome of lowering the gaze and protecting the private parts.
But do you know what actually does lowering your gaze means? In Islamic terminology, it refers to a number of things which includes refraining from looking at open body parts (until there is some sort of accident happens), the beauty of non-mahram women, the wealth of others and inside the houses of neighbors. But why has Almighty Allah asked Muslim men to lower their gaze? Why did He command them to do hijab in that way? Here are the four reasons Almighty Allah and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told us to lower the gaze.
1. Allah Is Watching You
Source: Wikipedia
It has been said in the Holy Quran that,
He knows that which deceives the eyes and what the breasts conceal. – Surah Ghafir, verse 19
There is a hadith in which the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said,
The glance is a poisoned arrow of Satan. Whoever lowers his gaze for Allah, He will bestow upon him a refreshing sweetness which he will find in his heart on the day that he meets Him. – Ahmad, Al-Musnad, Volume 5 page 264
2. It Is A Direct Command From Allah And His Prophet
Source: Brookings Institution
What other reason do you want to know if Allah has mentioned about lowering the gaze in the Quran by Himself?
Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do – Surah Noor Verse 30
3. It Is A Trait Of A True Believer
Source: Islam
According to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), lowering the gaze is a trait of a believer. He said,
Guarantee for me six actions and I will guarantee for you Paradise: Be truthful when you speak, keep your promises when you make them, fulfill the trust when you are trusted, guard your chastity, lower your gaze, and restrain your hands from harming others. – Ahmad by Ubadah bin As-Samit
4. It Will Ward Off Evil Desires
Source: Pinterest
Holy Prophet (PBUH) said once,
It was narrated by Alqama that, while I was walking with ‘Abdullah he said, “We were in the company of the Prophet and he said, ‘He who can afford to marry should marry, because it will help him refrain from looking at other women, and save his private parts from looking at other women, and save his private parts from committing illegal sexual relation; and he who cannot afford to marry is advised to fast, as fasting will diminish his sexual power.” – Sahih al-Bukhari Book 31 Hadith 129
May Allah protect us from inappropriate sights and purify our eyes, Ameen.
