Unlawful gazes- Tips for safeguarding oneself from the sin of the eyes

[Bint e Aisha]

30 things worth doing to help lower your gaze

 

Great!

You just found this post.

And you intend to read it to the end.

Your gaze will likely scan or skim through the content first. Then you will decide whether to read through again or save for later. That’s just one of the pleasures your eyes afford you – reading.

Others include looking at your dear and loved ones; admiring the beauty of Allah’s creations around; communicating with your children, spouses and students; and engaging in many creative pursuits.

Your sight is a gateway to developing your mind and soul. But….

And it’s a big B.U.T, your eyes do not have unrestricted 24/7 rights to glancing at everything that comes into your view. Your gaze, along with all other actions you perform as a Muslim must be aligned with a meaningful purpose.

Imaam Ibn Kathir commented on Surah an-Nur [24:30], saying: This is a command from Allah (swt) to His believing slaves to lower their gaze and refrain from looking at that which is forbidden to them. So they should not look at anything except that which they are permitted to look at, and they should lower their gaze and refrain from looking at forbidden things. If it so happens that a person’s gaze accidentally falls upon something forbidden, he should quickly avert his gaze.
[Tafseer Ibn Kathir, 3/282]

Lowering your gaze therefore is restraining it from looking at what is forbidden.

That is easier said than done.

Living in today’s world where you are faced with explicit content – at the workplace, in school, on the streets or even at family gatherings such as weddings or in forms such as billboards, TV and Internet. You name it, the tech world has made things even more fast and furious.

Going to the masjid and Islamic events are not fitnah free.

What can a striving brother or sister do in this case?

Below are 30 ideas for you to consider. They are simple but worthy acts to help you lower your gaze.

Remember every new habit starts with a simple effort, so you can pick just one idea or two to get started. Then stick to it and keep practicing from day to day. In sha Allah you will get there.

*****

1. Purify your Heart

The heart is the seat of intention (niyyah). When your heart is pure and sound, your intention will equally be pure and and firm – anchored by sincerity. This will affect the actions of the rest of your organs including your gaze.

A pure heart is filled with love and remembrance of Allah (swt) and His Rasul (saw). Such a heart will nurse a firm intention to gaze at only what is pleasing to Him, while guarding against what is displeasing to Him – whether at home, work or while out with friends.

2. Put the Reward in Mind

Visualise the great reward and compensation for your restraint. Allah (swt) rewards His slave for good deeds with something similar and if he gives up something for His sake, He will compensate him with something better than it.

Therefore, if he lowers his gaze and refrains from looking at things that Allah (swt) has prohibited, Allah (swt) will compensate him for restraining his gaze for the sake of Allah (swt) and put light in his heart.

3. Devote Yourself to Allah (swt)

Engage in a lot of involuntary (naafil) acts of worship, because this in addition to your regular obligatory acts of worship will serve a means of protecting your senses & intellect.

Obey Allah (swt) and keep doing good deeds.

4. Purify your Sight

Keep your sight pure to earn Allah’s Pleasure in this dunya and in anticipation of seeing Him in jannah.

Allah (swt) said: “… and My slave continues to draw close to Me with supererogatory (naafil) works so that I shall love him. And when I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask (something) of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it.” (Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi)

5. Supplications (Du’a)

Make supplications for patience, self control, discipline and true surrender as you struggle to remain consistent on keeping your gaze pure.

6. Prayers

Just as Luqman the wise advised his son, ‘be regular in your prayers’, so must you be regular in your prayers for it is a protection and shield for you.

”Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.” [al-‘Ankaboot 29:45]

7. Marriage

Make every effort to get married to guard your chastity as prescribed by Prophet Muhammad (saw).

He said: “Whoever can afford it, let him get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and in guarding one’s chastity…” (Bukhari & Muslim)

8. Fasting

In continuation of the above hadith, he (saw) said: ”… And whoever cannot afford it, let him fast, for it will be a shield for him.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

9. Keep Good Company

Your friends make or mark you. Choose good companions who will help you devote yourself to Allah (swt) and develop yourself spiritually, morally and mentally.

Drop the friends who encourage you to engage in immoral activities and disobedience of Allah (swt). Or keep a distance from them and do not ask them for advice.

10. Fight your Nafs

Set yourself a goal of winning against your nafs. Strive hard against your innermost desires.

”And those who strive for Us – We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good” [al-‘Ankaboot 29:69]

11. Turn away Physically

Avoid the second glance.

It was narrated that Jareer ibn ‘Abd-Allaah said: “I asked the Messenger of Allah (saw) about a sudden glance, and he commanded me to avert my gaze.” (Muslim)

12. Recall Judgement Day

You will be accountable for your actions. The earth and your senses will testify to your activities. Your eyes, limbs and private parts will be witnesses on judgment day.

”That Day, it will report its news” [al-Zalzalah 99:4]

13. Gratitude

Be grateful for the gift and blessings of your eyes and other senses; Internet and other tech. tools, Islam and your intellect. If you are truly thankful, you will utilise your gifts in ways pleasing only to the Giver of the gifts.

14. Remember Allah (swt) is All-Seeing and All-Knowing

Recall Luqman’s advice to his son, ”Allah (swt) will bring everything to light”?

Guard your actions because no affair is hidden from Allah (swt), even if it’s equivalent to the weight of a mustard seed or scattered around. He is The Subtle and Informed and He will bring all matters to light – for reward or punishment in the hereafter.

15. Recall Death

Death is inevitable and it isn’t marked on any calendar for you to be warned about. Therefore seek a good end, for you will be raised on what you died upon.

Imagine the possible end result of an unrestrained gaze. It could lead to great immoral acts such as zina. Why lead yourself down that path with such heavy consequences when a simple lowering of gaze can bring you happiness and joy beyond measures?

16. Seek Forgiveness

Be humble, admit you are weak but remain repentant. Don’t feel helpless or make excuses for not repenting.

17. Set and Visualise an End Goal

Set your ambition for the highest station in Jannah then imagine the promised pleasures within. What will you give to achieve such a goal and gain all of the pleasures?

Do not aim for anything less, because you are worth it and you have the opportunity to go for it.

18. Consider it Worship

It may be a difficult personal battle especially where your work environment, school or family gatherings are mixed and with little or no Islamic ethos. Mark it as part of your worship acts.

Just as it is not easy to wake up for Fajr, attend congregational prayers or give charity but you do it anyway because it is worship and you crave for the rewards. Lower your gaze and crave for the sweet rewards.

19. Be Prepared

Have a copy of the Quran, kindle, ipad, ipod etc with you while traveling, waiting for an appointment, standing at a queue etc. That way, your sight and mind will be engaged productively while you develop yourself with every passing minute.

20. Safe Environment

Avoid or limit your visit to places where your gaze will be affected – because you will most likely be tempted to gaze around. Malls… check; beaches… check; streets… check.

Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: “Beware of sitting in the street.” They said, “We have no alternative; that is where we sit and talk.” He said, “If you insist on sitting there, then give the street its rights.” They said, “What are the rights of the street?” He said, “Lowering the gaze and refraining from causing offense…” (Bukhari and Muslim)

21. Remember your Recording and Guardian Angels

Even those stolen glances or clear focused looks will be recorded.

”And indeed, [appointed] over you are keepers, Noble and recording; They know whatever you do” [al-Infitaar 82:10-12]

22. Seek Beneficial Knowledge

Study from the authentic teachings and use what you learn to remind yourself to focus on your purpose on earth.

After reminding yourself and taking action, send reminders to your friends and loved ones to benefit, gain rewards and safeguard against negative consequences.

23. Be Yourself

Avoid popular culture. Your intention and actions may be pure and sound originally, but due to weak faith or low self esteem you may try to imitate *that* rich and popular musician, footballer or actor who looks at non-mahrams, mixes freely with them and gains attention of the world.

Mind you, its negative attention with huge consequences. Your model should be the Rasul (saw), so follow his example and you will prosper and command attention of the Angels and noble beings.

24. Have a Conversation with Your Nafs

Tell your nafs what you desire of success in this dunya and akhirah and how badly you want it. So you welcome no negative distractions from those success goals. Thank your nafs for its anticipated co-operation. Write a letter to your nafs if possible.

25. Organise Halaal Fun

Spend time with your righteous sisters or brothers in Islam. Or with your spouse and children. Play sports, games, share stories and take walks if you can.

Set some time for relaxing after productive work. Use your energy in permissible entertainment so you are not driven to utilise it via an impermissible outlet.

26. Seek Refuge against Shaytan

Shaytan is ruined. He is focused on doing the same to you and your pals so beware of his plots. Seek refuge with Allah (swt) against his plots and evil inclinations. Do not partner with him in disobeying Allah (swt).

”O you who have believed, do not follow the footsteps of Satan. And whoever follows the footsteps of Satan – indeed, he enjoins immorality and wrongdoing…” (an-nur, 24: 21)

27. Dhikr

Keep your tongue moist and busy in the remembrance of Allah (swt).

For it is light on the tongue but heavy on the scales. And it is a means of of keeping your heart calm and at rest so you feel no undue attachment to the blings of the dunya including seemingly attractive non mahrams and other prohibited materials.

28. Consider it Jihad

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (saw) said: “…the adultery of the eyes is looking (at [that] which is not allowed)…” (Bukhari and Muslim)1

When you restrain that gaze, thank Allah (swt) for the strength he gave you then give yourself a thumbs up for engaging in jihad – by moving away from zina.

29. Modest Interactions with Members of the Opposite Sex

Do not feel you are above temptation. Interact modestly with non-mahrams in necessary situations and refrain from excessive and unnecessary mingling.

Be modest, decent and sincere in your actions – including your speech and what you gaze at.

30. Improve your Personality

Make it a goal to improve your character and relationship with others. Strive to strengthen and showcase your Islamic identity. This includes what you look at and what you do not look at.

Having a true Islamic personality will help you interact with kindness, humility and with a smile while calling to the truth and forbidding the wrong.

*****

For any of the above ideas you choose to practice with, you will be developing many aspects of your spirituality, personality and relationships. You will be improving yourself and making the Ummah a much better place in sha Allah.

Lower your gaze, it is worth it!


”But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from [unlawful] inclination, Then indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge”

[an-Nazi’at 79:40-41]

source

[Bint e Aisha]

The following are few tips for safeguarding oneself from the sin of the Eye – “Unlawful gazes” by Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi Mujaddidi DB

 

 

 

ۚقُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ

 

Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest [surah 24. An-Nur, Ayah 30]

 

وَقُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ

 

And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest [surah 24. An-Nur, Ayah 31]

 

Unfortunately, today, we live in a society where advertisement, billboards, newspapers, etc. attract us with obscene images. The west also attempts to destroy our faith by propagating the message of “SHYNESS is a SICKNESS”. It is difficult to save ourselves from this evil, as watching obscene images repeatedly destroys our modesty and makes us immune to obscenity.

 

 

 

 

‘Remember, if we do not cast veil over our eyes, then a veil will be cast over our hearts for sure.’

Below are a few steps of advice for people who intend to save themselves from this sin:

 

1."While walking on the road, keep your gaze lowered in such a manner that just by the feet of passers by, one can get an idea if they are men or women.

 

2.In Supermarkets/Ticket counters, etc., try looking for a counter with representative of your own gender. Avoid counters with representatives of your opposite gender.

 

3.While Driving a car/riding a bike, keep your concentration on the road and vehicles around you rather than people on the road and in vehicles. It’s always possible that you might end up looking at a Non-Mehram seated in a car, bike or walking.

 

4.NEVER look at Billboards/Hoardings while driving, riding or walking.

 

5.It’s better to avoid passing through a street which has girls school or College.

 

6.Always carry an Islamic book with you while travelling in a Bus/Plane/Train. This will keep your mind busy and help you against evil thoughts from Shaitan.

 

7.When entering your own house, make an audible sound from your mouth, so that if there is a Non-Mehram woman present, she may cover herself.

 

8.When you knock on someone’s door, stand away from the front of the door, so as to avoid coming across an unveiled woman.

 

9.NEVER stay alone in the house & NEVER keep yourself free. Keep yourself occupied with some work all the time.

 

10.Connect to the Internet only when it’s required. NEVER connect un-necessarily as an idle mind is devils workshop.

 

11.When you happen to be at an Airport or an Office, where a television is playing or pictures of women are displaying, then intentionally sit with your backs towards it.

 

12.During any Official work or essential shopping, if one needs to interact with a Non-Mehram, then do not look at their face. Just as two people who are displeased with each other would avoid looking at each other’s faces or eyes when required to interact under compulsion.

13.If married, keep your spouse happy.

 

14.During Tawaaf of Kaabatullah, keep your gaze fixed at your feet. Never raise your gaze during Tawaaf except for Istalam of Hajr-e-Aswad.

 

15.Avoid gatherings/functions, if there is opportunity of sin. (eg., No arrangement of purdah for visiting women, music, dancing, etc.). If there is a fear that the relationship between you and the organiser of the function may be affected, then be the last to enter and first to leave the gathering.

 

16.First of all, it’s best not to visit Picnic-spots. However, if required to go, then choose such a time and day when there would be minimum crowd.

 

17."Fast on the 13th, 14th and 15th of every month as per the Lunar calendar. Also fast on every Mondays and Thursdays. If you are still unable to control your gaze, then fast on every alternative day.

 

18.Visualise the punishment you might get for this sin of unlawful gazes. Imagine that your eyes are being pierced with hot iron rods for years and years together.

 

19.Fix a punishment for yourself every time you end up sinning, e.g., offer 20 rakaat Nafl Salah for every sin occurred or give sadaqah of a certain amount. (Fix an amount that would possible prevent you from sinning again).

 

20.If you happen to cast a sinful gaze, lower your gaze immediately & recite istigfaar.

 

21.Read the following Tasbeeh( Heart cleaner):

 

لا مرغوبى الا الله

 

لا مطلوبى الا ا لله

 

لا محبوبى الا ا لله

 

لا ا له الا ا لله

 

 

(I don't have any object of attraction, but Allah

 

I don't have any object of passion, but Allah

 

I don't have any beloved, but Allah

 

There is no God, but Allah)

 

(100 times in the morning and 100 times in the night)

 

22.Wake up for tahajjud salah every day and pray to Allah that “O Allah! It is extremely difficult for me to prevent myself from sinning, but, it’s extremely easy for you to save me from sinning. Oh Allah! Cleanse my heart and my eyes from the evil effects of my sins.”

 

 

May Allah protect us from all sins of the eye and make all acts which are detestable to Allah, detestable in our hearts too. May Allah shower His Mercy on those who were involved in the production and propagation of this work. Ameen

 

Download the Poster PDF in English and Urdu

 

English version

 

Urdu version

 

Source

Edited July 30, 2017 by Bint e Aisha

[Bint e Aisha]

Prescription for Lustful Gazes

 

 

 

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

 

Lustful gazes have become an epidemic with consequences that are so far-reaching, to the point of crippling one’s spirituality, weakening one’s Imaan, sometimes even to the extent of losing one’s Imaan - for a pretty face or a handsome face.(May Allah Ta’ala protect us all).

 

 

More and more Muslim brothers and even sisters write, after realizing or experiencing the effects of the ‘bitter-sweet’ poison of evil glancing: They want an antidote; they want desperately to escape their habit – before they totally self-destruct; because their habit of casting lustful gazes landed them in the gutters of immorality and they have had to then contend with disgrace, humiliation and sometimes a life-long stigma.

 

 

…But they find themselves weak in the face of the demands of their nafs. And the nafs, by nature, enjoys the forbidden, and is never satisfied even on fulfilment of its demands.  It is very much like the salty water of the ocean: it increases thirst and does not quench thirst.

 

 

So for those who find themselves weak in lowering their gazes from Haraam, they should now use their gazes – the invaluable gift of sight - in carefully reading the following prescription, for cure.

 

 

Alhamdulillah, if followed, lowering the gaze will become second nature and a person will reach a stage where he will not even care if Miss Universe is passing in front of him …because he would have tasted the sweetness of Imaan, and would know the lofty experiences that come on pleasing Allah Ta’ala.

 

 

To cast an evil gaze will then be most indecent and shameful for him. The person will now know better than to disgrace himself, destroy the tranquility and Sukoon of his heart and exchange the sweet pleasure of Allah Ta’ala’s love for what will inevitably become dust. He says, as my Shaykh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) said in poetry:

 

 

“I will not look, I will not look,

Never will I look at one,

Looking upon whom,

Displeases my Rabb (Allah Ta’ala).”

 

 

Whilst beauty is an attribute that charms and captivates any heart; if it is that which Allah Ta’ala has declared as forbidden, it not only destroys the peace of the heart, it lays to waste the very substance of Imaan that resides in the heart. Therefore, Allah Ta’ala, addresses both the believing men and believing women:

 

 

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at that which is Haraam) and to be modest (i.e. to protect themselves from prohibited deeds like adultery and fornication, etc.). That is purer for them. Verily Allah is Aware of what they do.”

 

 “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze(from looking at that which is forbidden)and to be modest (i.e. to protect themselves from prohibited deeds like adultery, fornication, etc.) and not to show off their beauty except only that which is apparent and let them wear their head-coverings over their bosoms…”

 

[Surah An-Nur 24 : 30/ 31]

 

 

The absolute wisdom and beauty inherent in these injunctions of Allah Ta’ala, of lowering the gaze, guarding ones modesty (and adopting the full Hijaab for women), is that a person will remain far removed from the crime of Zina(adultery / fornication), as well as the stepping stones to Zina.

 

 

All those actions that lead to the commission of sin are, like the sin itself, absolutely forbidden. Like Zina is forbidden, so too are all those actions that will inevitably lead to Zina. Therefore, Allah Ta’ala says:

 

“And come not near to Zina. Verily it is a shameful and evil path”

[Surah Al- Isra 17 : 32]

 

 

Evil glancing is the very inception to Zina. By lowering the gaze, we curtail furthering our evil desires. These injunctions of Allah Ta’ala are a protection from sin and should be appreciated by practical implementation.

 

 

 

• It is not impossible to lower the gaze from Haraam, as some say. …If we have the ability to look up, we also have the ability to look down or turn our gazes away. We open our eyes and we close our eyes. …So what is it difficult to look down or look away when we see a pretty face, accidentally? …More especially when that pretty face will result in:

 

 

-         The heart burning with restlessness,

-         Darkness filling the heart,

-         The Noor of the heart and the Noor of the face being lost.

-         Earning the displeasure of Allah Ta’ala  

-         Inviting the Curses of Allah Ta’ala.

 

 

All that is required is a little courage. If we are bold to displease Allah Ta’ala in His Presence, then this proves adequately that we can be bold enough and displease nafs and shaytaan instead. We have courage and need to re-channel it to earn His Pleasure.

 

 

 

• Our respected Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had mentioned that if a person is a lover of sweets and he is informed that in a certain district, there are many, many sweet shops, the person naturally feels happy because he will be able to enjoy sweetness any time he so wishes. ...Allah Ta’ala’s promise on lowering the gaze issweetness of Imaan…

 

 

In a Hadeeth-e-Qudsi, Allah Ta’ala says: “Verily evil glancing is an arrow from the poisonous arrows of Shaytaan. Whosoever fears Me (Allah) and refrains from it will receive from Me such Imaan, the sweetness of which he will taste (feel) in his heart.”^[1]

 

 

So we should consider the occasions, when we are in public areas and other venues, where there may be many strange women present, as an opportunity of lowering the gaze and enjoying and savouring the sweetness of Imaan. 

 

 

Of course, this should not be misconstrued to mean that we visit those places where there is temptation. Where there is mud, even an elephant can slip.

 

 

• At such a time – when the desire is strong to cast that evil gaze, immediately strike a deal with Allah Ta’ala. Say: “O Allah, it is solely for Your Pleasure and out of Love for You that I am restraining myself from casting these evil gazes, even though my nafs and heart desire to derive forbidden pleasure in this. …O Allah, I am placing Your Pleasure before my pleasure and am hopeful of the fulfillment of Your Promise, of granting the sweetness of Imaan to the one who lowers his gaze from Haraam.”

 

 

In another Hadeeth mentioned in Mishkaat Shareef, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “When anyone’s eyes fall on a pretty girl and he immediately casts his gaze away from her, Allah grants him the Divine Guidance towards such Ibaadah, the ecstasy of which he feels in himself.”

 

 

 

• Moreover, if a person is married, then keep in mind that Allah Ta’ala has given a wife who is Halaal. It is great ingratitude that a person would choose to look at and fantasize over Haraam women, when blessed with a Halaal wife. This will inevitably result in dissatisfaction, unhappiness and even criticism of one’s wife and will open the doors of marital misery.

 

 

Lustful glancing is infidelity and a violation of the rights of one’s spouse. …Would any well-balanced, sound-minded person like that his wife casts evil gazes at other men, and fantasizes about them? …So similarly, she too will not like that her husband engages in such disloyalty and betrayal.

 

Of course, the same is applicable to women. Many women, including married women, complain of their weakness of admiring men.

 

 

 

• Always keep in mind that casting lustful gazes means casting those gazes at someone’s daughter, mother, sister, wife, etc. Would anyone of us like that someone does the same to our wives, our daughters, our mothers or our sisters? ...No.

 

 

If we respect strange women by lowering our gazes and keeping our hearts free of evil passions and lust, Insha-Allah, Allah Ta’ala will protect our womenfolk from those who have sick hearts and minds. Otherwise they will also be subjected to the same evil from strange men. None of us would be happy with that.

 

 

 

• Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:“Allah curses the one who looks and the one at whom the gaze is directed (i.e. the one who was responsible for attracting the attention of a ghair-mahram).”

 

 

The La`nah (curse) of Allah Ta’ala is no trivial and insignificant matter, to be taken in the light-hearted manner we do. A person tagged with the label of the ‘La`nah’ of Allah Ta’ala is denied His Mercy and deprived of His proximity, until he repents thereof, firmly intending not to indulge in such Haraam pleasure again. If not, then this evil habit of lustful gazes paves the path of disgrace. May Allah Ta'ala save us all. 

 

 

 

• Furthermore, by developing the love and fear of Allah Ta’ala, it becomes extremely easy to restrain oneself from sin. Taqwa and the conscious awareness of Allah Ta’ala’s presence are a protection, security and barrier from sin. These beautiful qualities are easiest acquired from the company of the Auliya Allah (Friends of Allah Ta’ala).

 

 

Mullah Ali Qaari(Rahmatullah ‘alaih) had given the following definition of Hayaa (Modesty): ‘The ‘Haqeeqat’ of Hayaa is that your Maula (Master, Allah Ta’ala) must not find you in that place which He has forbidden.”…or indulging in that which He has forbidden.

 

 

The conscious awareness of Allah Ta’ala prevents us from committing sins.

 

 

Ultimately, if we lower our gazes, we guard our hearts from evil desires and lust, and we also guard our minds from Haraam fantasizing – and Allah Ta’ala blesses our hearts with the sweetness of Imaan. Just one small action of lowering the gaze or turning the gaze in another direction and major problems are solved, and the net result is the Supreme Bounty of Allah Ta’ala’s pleasure, the sweetness of Imaan, peace and contentment! This is indeed a wonderful exchange for such a small deed.

 

 

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq of 100% obedience and bless us with the sweetness of Imaan.

 

 

---

 

[1] Kanzul-Ummaal

 

Source

[Bint e Aisha]

10 Spiritual Harms of Casting Lustful Glances

by Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) (Courtesy: Shaykh Tameem Ahamadi)

[Bint e Aisha]

(click on picture to enlarge)

[Bint e Aisha]

Sins of eyes may lead to disbelief

 

A spiritual seeker and religious scholar wrote, there is strong involvement in the spiritual malady of seeing the unlawful. The Satan deceives by reassuring me that you are not going to actually commit the acts of these lustful desires so why refrain from only watching them. At these moments I even forget العینان تزنیان (the Prophetic saying that eyes commit adultery).

Please prescribe a treatment for this.

Shaikh Wasiullah Allahabadi (Allah have mercy on him) replied,

‘The treatment of spiritual malady you have written about was very simple. That is, contemplation of the Quranic and Prophetic statements mentioning the detrimental consequences of indulging in it. However, your mentioning that awareness of العینان تزنیان (the Prophetic saying that eyes commit adultery) is ineffective, makes the matter a bit hard. I find it difficult to what to tell you. The knowledge of rulings of Sharia should have been sufficient for an individual to keep him away from sinful activities. However, if they are not (for an individual) then what to do?

In light of principles of this path (tariqat) for these kind of individuals I tell a thing. However, prior to this take into account two points,

1. How detestable and despicable it is that people consider an individual to be a scholar and acquire religious knowledge from him but in reality his inner self is completely opposite of his outward appearance? In regards to this Ibn Kathir (Allah have mercy on him) relates that Prophet Musa (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) told the people of Bani Israel that you come to me wearing the clothes of monks and your heart are like that of wolves. Listen to me. Wear the clothes fit for a king but soften your heart and fill them to the brim with fear of accountability to Allah.

Similarly Imam Hasan al Basri (Allah have mercy on him) said, there are people who have arrogance filled hearts, however, in outwardly appearance they look utmost humble.

Contemplating on these can also lead to much reformation (islah).

2. You mentioned that Satan deceives you by telling that you are not going to indulge in these lustful acts so why abstain from just looking. So beware that all who committed adultery started by seeing the prohibited. Watching the sinful became a prelude to actual performance of the illicit activities. So how can a fallible individual be sure that this will not lead him to it.

An individual wrote to Hakim al Umma (Allah have mercy on him) that a thought comes to mind, (at the opportunity to see the prohibited) go ahead and watch it as there is (extreme) hardship (beyond my volition) in abstaining from it. Hakim al Umma replied, ‘Quickly take heed and remove this thought process. Otherwise soon you will be knocking at the door of disbelief (ilhad).

Now I will tell you the thing according to the principles of this path. Accept and follow it. The pious sages have written a parable, an individual (claimed to) fell in love with a lady. (One day) he was following her closely, the women turned to him and said why are you following me? A little behind me my sister is coming, she is much more attractive and prettier than me. The individual turned searching for her. The lady slapped him and said,

O! Moron if you were truthful in your love for me than why did you look for someone else. O creep! Is this love?

Now I ask you if a mortal being has so much pride and honor (ghairet) than what about the Supreme reality (Allah). He has the most pride and honor against someone claiming to love Him and is giving preference to other-than-Him.

Stepping on this path is like making a claim of Allah’s love. The laws of love do not allow even looking at others.

Understand this and let me know what you understood.

Islahi maktubaat, wasiyet al Irfan, Rabi II, 1403, page 15-16

Source: ashrafiya

[Bint e Aisha]

Remedy for Sins of eyesight

Replying to a letter from a seeker, sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah protect & preserve him) commented:

“This person was involved in sins of the eyes. A solution was given which Alhamdulillah proved effective. He read the words of a pious elder to whom people complained: “Sir, immodesty has become widespread nowadays.” The pious elder replied: “Where is it? I haven’t noticed any immodesty. When I’m walk in the streets, my gaze does not shift from the path I’m walking on.”

Sayyidi continued: “This person got Tawfeeq to act on this advice. He was also involved in seeing immodest content on his smart phone. He was told to remove the means of this sin if he was not able to control himself otherwise. He removed Wifi from his home to avoid this sin. Spiritual struggle (mujahidda) and sincere dua are needed to avoid sins. As Allah Ta’ala says:

وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا

“As for those who strive in Our way, We will certainly take them onto Our paths”.

Intekhab e Kaiseri, Ramadan 1440. Post zohar, office majlis

 

Taken from Ashrafiya.com

[Bint e Aisha]

It is reported that Hassân b. Abî Sinân (rah) went out one 'Eid and when he returned home his wife said, “How many beautiful women have you looked at today?” After she kept asking him, he said, “Woe to you! I have looked at nothing but my toe from when I went out to when I returned to you.”

It is reported on the authority of Al-Wakî’ b. Al-Jarrâh (rah):
We went out one 'Eid with Sufyân Al-Thawrî and he said, “The first thing we will do on this day of ours is to lower our gaze.”

Ibn Abi al-Dunya, Kitab al-Wara'. Taken from Sayings of the Salaf.

Wa Salam.

 

Source: Dr. Abu Tamim's Blog. (رحمه الله)

[Bint e Aisha]

أََللّهُمَّ طَهِّرْ قَلْبِىْ مِنَ النِّفَاقِ وَ عَمَلِىْ مِنَ الرِّيَاءِ، وَ لِسَانِىْ مِنَ الْكَذِبِ، وَ عَيْنِىْ مِنَ الْخِيَانَةِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ خَائِنَةَ الْاَعْيُنِ وَمَا  تُخْفِىْ الصّدُوْر
 

O Allah! Purify my heart from hypocrisy and my actions from showing off (riya) and my tongue from lying and my eyes from treachery. Indeed You know the treachery of the eyes and what is hidden in the chests.

[Bint e Aisha]

About lowering the gaze 

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:  

Looking generates thoughts, then thoughts generate ideas, then ideas generate desire, then desires generate will, then the will grows strong and resolves to do the deed, and then the deed will inevitably take place unless there is something to prevent it. Concerning this it was said that patience in lowering the gaze is easier than patience in bearing the pain that comes afterwards. End quote. 

Al-Jawaab al-Kaafi (p. 106).

[Bint e Aisha]

Sufyan on Men: Who is weaker than a man unable to lower his gaze?

 

Abu Nu’aym reported: Sufyan al-Thawri, may Allah have mercy on him, said, “A woman will pass by a man and he cannot restrain himself from looking at her lustfully although there is no benefit in it. What could be weaker than this?”

Source: Ḥilyat al-Awliyā’ 7/68

عن أبي نعيم قال سفيان الثوري رحمه الله الْمَرْأَةُ تَمُرُّ بِالرَّجُلِ فَلَا يَمْلِكُ نَفْسَهُ عَنِ النَّظَرِ إِلَيْهَا وَلَا هُوَ يَنْتَفِعُ بِهَا فَأَيُّ شَيْءٍ أَضْعَفُ مِنْ هَذَا

7/68 حلية الأولياء وطبقات الأصفياء