Lowering Of The Gaze

[SAFAH]

Bismillah.

 

 

During the hot summer days or during one’s visits to public places like airports, train stations, town centre’s etc one will be tested by many vices of which one very destructive and detrimental vice is that of evil glances. However, if one takes advantage of the situation and curbs his desires, he can gain such spiritual elevation which he cannot gain in months of worship. Why? Because on every step he will be making such sacrifice and opposing his desires in such a way that every step will bring him closer to Allah, as this is a very difficult task and the harder the task the more spiritual elevation one acquires.

 

A LAME EXCUSE

 

The common excuse is to say one cannot control his gaze, this is incorrect, rather the problem lies in the fact that we are not trying and the reason for this absence of effort is that we have not placed the filth of this deed in our minds. It is only when one does this, and realises the detrimental effects of this evil will he be able to refrain from this. These detrimental effects include the absence of barakah and blessings in one’s knowledge and this will be a very obstructive barrier in one’s spiritual advancement, although one cannot say completely impossible, but is very close to impossible that this person will see spiritual elevation…

 

DESTRUCTIVE NATURE

 

When a person knows that something is destructive and detrimental for him he will do all he can to stay away from it. Just as when someone places intoxicants in front of you, will you touch it? The answer will be no. Why? Because you have the mentality that this is a filthy thing. Repercussions for this evil are foremost on your mind and you have it embedded in your mind that it is of utmost importance for you to stay away from this. The same cannot be said regarding evil glances, hence there is an absence in the effort in regards to refraining from this evil.

 

SURVIVAL GUIDE

 

The method to safeguard oneself is to look down, as Shaytaan has promised to attack humans from all angles, the right, the left, from in front, from behind. There remain only two safe options, to look up (but in that you will most probably injure yourself!!) so one must look down when he walks. Many people try to lower their gazes upon seeing something forbidden, this is not the correct manner, rather keep your gazes lowered at all times and only look up when you need to look up. This is from the etiquettes of sulook i.e. a saaliq (one treads the path of spiritual rectification) should always look down and walk, this is an etiquette which is lost amongst the saalik’s in this day and age.

 

It should be that a person looks down and walks and only upon necessity he looks up. It is much easier for a person to look down, and if when the thought comes that a lady is walking past, it is much easier to control, but to be looking at the women then lower one’s gaze is very difficult.

 

CURB THE TEMPTATION

 

Just as if some food is placed in front of someone as long as he does not take a taste of it then it is much easier for him to refrain then when he takes a bite and then wishes to resist the temptation. Make it a habit to look down and walk. He who looks down and walks will also be able to refrain himself as he will be aware that if he is looking down and then suddenly looks up those around him will realise that something is wrong here, this will also be a deterrent.

 

MISCONCEPTION

 

A common misconception exists in regards to the notion of the first glance being forgiven. The correct interpretation of what is meant by the first glance is that for example a person is walking with his gazes lowered, who then suddenly hears a noise so it is only natural that he looks up as it could be danger, and if at time his glance falls for a split second on something forbidden then this is forgiven. Another example is that someone is walking with his glances cast down and he is looking for a specific shop or house, when he looks up to check if he has reached his destination it so happens that his gazes fall on something impermissible then this is what is meant by the first glance being forgiven.

 

By the first gaze it means the first unintentional gaze, it does not mean that you are walking and you see a women then the first glance is ok. When the first glance falls unintentionally this is forgiven, then after that, even if a person looks for even a second extra that is the second gaze and for this he will be accountable. After the first unintentional gaze to look for even a second extra intentionally is sinful. Another point to bear in mind is that one gaze does not necessarily mean until you turn your head away. But rather after the unintentional gaze to look intentionally is the second gaze. This is forbidden.

 

AFTER EFFECTS

 

If after the first gaze a person is harassed by thoughts and flashbacks of what he saw unintentionally as long as they are disliked they are not detrimental, but if a person begins to enjoy then they will be considered as sinful.