How To Lower Our Gaze
“A big curtain is not my intention, but a big iman and befitting Islamic manners is “
<!-- D(["mb",""If I u003cspan>wereu003c/span> n not a Muslim, I would have contracted AIDS",u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/i>u003c/em>u003cfont coloru003d"black">u003cspan styleu003d"color:black"> proclaimed my friend. n u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>n u003cp>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman" coloru003d"black" sizeu003d"3">u003cspan styleu003d"font-size:12pt;color:black"> u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>n u003cp>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman" coloru003d"black" sizeu003d"3">u003cspan styleu003d"font-size:12pt;color:black">"The u003cspan>ayatsu003c/span> n in u003cspan>Surau003c/span> u003cspan>Nuru003c/span> about n lowering our gazes doesn't affect me anymore," expressed another youth, n talking about the intense temptations felt by today's young. Difficulty in n lowering the gaze by both the young and old is readily perceived on the n street, weddings, parties and even in the mosques. n u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>n u003cp>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman" coloru003d"black" sizeu003d"3">u003cspan styleu003d"font-size:12pt;color:black">What has gone wrong? How can n Muslims, called by Allah, our Creator the model community, the custodians n of Truth and the upholders of morality behave this way? Why are we n adopting the attitudes and routes of the u003cspan>kuffaru003c/span>? n How can we rectify ourselves? What follows is a series of practical, n though graphic advises which can work for us and set us free from Satan's n stronghold, u003cspan>Insha`Allahu003c/span>. n u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>n u003cp>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman" coloru003d"black" sizeu003d"3">u003cspan styleu003d"font-size:12pt;color:black">Prophet u003cspan>Muhamadu003c/span> (u003cspan>sawwu003c/span>
, by way of n warning and as a reminder said, u003cem>u003ci>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman">"There is n nothing left after I go more dangerous to men than the temptations of n womenâ€.u003c/font>u003c/i>u003c/em>u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>n u003cp>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman" coloru003d"black" sizeu003d"3">u003cspan styleu003d"font-size:12pt;color:black">When Allah created humans with all n our desires and urges, he also revealed to us sufficient and complete n guidance to properly channel these desires, both in the midst of Dar-",1] ); //-->
“The ayats in Sura Nur about lowering our gazes doesn’t affect me anymore,†expressed another youth, talking about the intense temptations felt by today’s young. Difficulty in lowering the gaze by both the young and old is readily perceived on the street, weddings, parties and even in the mosques.
What has gone wrong? How can Muslims, called by Allah, our Creator the model community, the custodians of Truth and the upholders of morality behave this way? Why are we adopting the attitudes and routes of the kuffar? How can we rectify ourselves? What follows is a series of practical, though graphic advises which can work for us and set us free from Satan’s stronghold, Insha`Allah.
Prophet Muhamad (saww), by way of warning and as a reminder said, “There is nothing left after I go more dangerous to men than the temptations of womenâ€.
When Allah created humans with all our desires and urges, he also revealed to us sufficient and complete guidance to properly channel these desires, both in the midst of Dar-<!-- D(["mb","u003cspan>ul-Kufru003c/span> or Dar-u003cspan>ulu003c/span>-Islam. All n we need to do is seek it, contemplate on it and pursue it. u003cem>u003ci>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman">"This day n I have perfected your u003cspan>deenu003c/span> for you, completed my n u003cspan>favorsu003c/span> upon you and chosen Islam as your u003cspan>deenu003c/span>." (Maida 4)u003c/font>u003c/i>u003c/em> n u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>n u003cp>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman" coloru003d"black" sizeu003d"3">u003cspan styleu003d"font-size:12pt;color:black">We should realize that the fact the n great u003cspan>sahabasu003c/span> were human beings also. n Biologically there were no different from us. They had desires and n temptations but yet, they controlled themselves in the best of ways. We n can do the same, u003cspan>Insha`Allahu003c/span>. To possess sensual n passions is human, to control them is Muslim. nu003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>n u003cp>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman" coloru003d"black" sizeu003d"3">u003cspan styleu003d"font-size:12pt;color:black">When confronted with an alluring n situation like passing by a non-u003cspan>mahramu003c/span> on the n street, office or school, Satan is constantly tempting us to glare at n her/him with evil thoughts. Satan is probably excitingly saying, with a n big smile, 'yes, yes, yes,' when we steer into the bait he is setting. n During these situations, immediately and consciously realize that when we n give u003cspan>a second or following glancesu003c/span>, we are n obeying Satan. u003cem>u003ci>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman">"O u003cspan>youu003c/span> who believe, follow n not the footsteps of the devil". (24:21)u003c/font>u003c/i>u003c/em>. By immediately n averting our gazes and disobeying Satan, we are giving him a one-two punch n in the face and leaving him frustrated and accursed. n u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>n u003cp>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman" coloru003d"black" sizeu003d"3">u003cspan styleu003d"font-size:12pt;color:black">Satan rebelled and was expelled by n Allah, so let's all rebel against Satan and expel him from our hearts. n Satan intends to fight a war against Muslims, so let's gather our forces n behind the ",1] ); //-->ul-Kufr or Dar-ul-Islam. All we need to do is seek it, contemplate on it and pursue it. “This day I have perfected your deen for you, completed my favors upon you and chosen Islam as your deen.†(Maida 4)
We should realize that the fact the great sahabas were human beings also. Biologically there were no different from us. They had desires and temptations but yet, they controlled themselves in the best of ways. We can do the same, Insha`Allah. To possess sensual passions is human, to control them is Muslim.
When confronted with an alluring situation like passing by a non-mahram on the street, office or school, Satan is constantly tempting us to glare at her/him with evil thoughts. Satan is probably excitingly saying, with a big smile, ‘yes, yes, yes,’ when we steer into the bait he is setting. During these situations, immediately and consciously realize that when we give a second or following glances, we are obeying Satan. “O you who believe, follow not the footsteps of the devilâ€. (24:21). By immediately averting our gazes and disobeying Satan, we are giving him a one-two punch in the face and leaving him frustrated and accursed.
Satan rebelled and was expelled by Allah, so let’s all rebel against Satan and expel him from our hearts. Satan intends to fight a war against Muslims, so let’s gather our forces behind the<!-- D(["mb","u003cspan>Qur`u003cspan>anu003c/span>u003c/span>u003cspan> andu003c/span> the u003cspan>Sunnahu003c/span> and defeat n him. Remember that even if no human eye is watching us, the Ever-Watchful n Allah is constantly monitoring the innermost regions of our hearts. Our n eyes, limbs, tongue and private parts will be witnesses on the Judgment n Day and not an atom's worth of deed will remain unexamined. n u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>n u003cp>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman" coloru003d"black" sizeu003d"3">u003cspan styleu003d"font-size:12pt;color:black">Our minds are conditioned to n associate thoughts of stealing clothes from a store to being in handcuffs n and hauled into a police van. Likewise we should condition our minds to n bring the verses of u003cspan>Surahu003c/span> u003cspan>Nuru003c/span> in front of our eyes during any tempting n situations and imagine that Allah is speaking to us directly u003cem>u003ci>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman">"Say to n the believing, men that they should lower their gaze and guard their n modesty. O you believers! Turn you all together towards Allah that you may n attain success"u003c/font>u003c/i>u003c/em> (24:30-31). If the u003cspan>Qur`u003cspan>anu003c/span>u003c/span> contained only these n two u003cspan>ayatsu003c/span>, it would be enough to convince me n that it is the book of Allah. u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>n u003cp>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman" coloru003d"black" sizeu003d"3">u003cspan styleu003d"font-size:12pt;color:black">With practice, these associations n and the remembrance of Allah during tempting situations will prevent us n from getting stuck by devilish arrows. Successfully controlling our gazes n also deadens our avoidance of sinful situations. An Islamic idiom says, n u003cstrong>u003cb>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman">"Anything that leads to u003cspan>haramu003c/span> is u003cspan>haramu003c/span> in n itself."u003c/font>u003c/b>u003c/strong> To do a pious deed is a reward; to avoid a n sin is a reward too. u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>n u003cp>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman" coloru003d"black" sizeu003d"3">u003cspan styleu003d"font-size:12pt;color:black">",1] ); //--> Qur`an and the Sunnah and defeat him. Remember that even if no human eye is watching us, the Ever-Watchful Allah is constantly monitoring the innermost regions of our hearts. Our eyes, limbs, tongue and private parts will be witnesses on the Judgment Day and not an atom’s worth of deed will remain unexamined.
Our minds are conditioned to associate thoughts of stealing clothes from a store to being in handcuffs and hauled into a police van. Likewise we should condition our minds to bring the verses of Surah Nur in front of our eyes during any tempting situations and imagine that Allah is speaking to us directly “Say to the believing, men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty. O you believers! Turn you all together towards Allah that you may attain success†(24:30-31). If the Qur`an contained only these two ayats, it would be enough to convince me that it is the book of Allah.
With practice, these associations and the remembrance of Allah during tempting situations will prevent us from getting stuck by devilish arrows. Successfully controlling our gazes also deadens our avoidance of sinful situations. An Islamic idiom says, “Anything that leads to haram is haram in itself.†To do a pious deed is a reward; to avoid a sin is a reward too.
<!-- D(["mb","One of the biggest culprits in this n class is movies. In the name of entertainment, to please our peers and n children and an excuse to do something together as a family, we n astonishingly allow un-Islamic pictures and dialogues in front of our eyes n and ears. Can we ever imagine the Prophet or our Imams (u003cspan>aozubillahu003c/span> renting the latest hit from Blockbuster n Videos, or listening to Album with alluring lyrics at high volume? n u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>n u003cp>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman" coloru003d"black" sizeu003d"3">u003cspan styleu003d"font-size:12pt;color:black">Likewise we watch news on TV and n stare at the anchor women, adorned in heavy make-up, scanty clothing and n seductive smile. Prophet Muhammad (u003cspan>sawwu003c/span>u003cspan>,u003c/span> was once approached by a woman with a proposal for n marriage. He took a single glance at her face and turned his face away. n Jabir bin Abdullah (u003cspan>radhiyallahuu003c/span> u003cspan>anhuu003c/span> reported: u003cem>u003ci>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman">"I asked n Allah's messenger about the sudden glance on the face of a non-u003cspan>mahramu003c/span>. He commanded me that I should turn away my n eyes."u003c/font>u003c/i>u003c/em> Thus, we are not supposed to stare at faces of n non-u003cspan>mahramsu003c/span>, be they are our fellow students, n our elders, saleswomen or someone on TV. u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>n u003cp>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman" coloru003d"black" sizeu003d"3">u003cspan styleu003d"font-size:12pt;color:black">Pious ladies of the prophet's n household were ordered to observe u003cspan>purdahu003c/span> n (separation) in front of a blind u003cspan>sahabahu003c/span>. Asking n the curious questions as to why cover/separate when the blind u003cspan>sahabahu003c/span> could not see them, the prophet (u003cspan>sawwu003c/span> wisely answered, u003cem>u003ci>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman">"But you n could see him."u003c/font>u003c/i>u003c/em> u003cbr>u003cbr>In our wedding ceremonies and n parties and even in many Islamic fundraising dinners, there is heavy n free-mixing between brothers and sisters. Often the chairs of males and n females are arranged facing each other, knowing that about 90 percent of n our sisters do no wear ",1] ); //-->One of the biggest culprits in this class is movies. In the name of entertainment, to please our peers and children and an excuse to do something together as a family, we astonishingly allow un-Islamic pictures and dialogues in front of our eyes and ears. Can we ever imagine the Prophet or our Imams (aozubillah) renting the latest hit from Blockbuster Videos, or listening to Album with alluring lyrics at high volume?
Likewise we watch news on TV and stare at the anchor women, adorned in heavy make-up, scanty clothing and seductive smile. Prophet Muhammad (saww), was once approached by a woman with a proposal for marriage. He took a single glance at her face and turned his face away. Jabir bin Abdullah (radhiyallahu anhu) reported: “I asked Allah’s messenger about the sudden glance on the face of a non-mahram. He commanded me that I should turn away my eyes.†Thus, we are not supposed to stare at faces of non-mahrams, be they are our fellow students, our elders, saleswomen or someone on TV.
Pious ladies of the prophet’s household were ordered to observe purdah (separation) in front of a blind sahabah. Asking the curious questions as to why cover/separate when the blind sahabah could not see them, the prophet (saww) wisely answered, “But you could see him.â€
In our wedding ceremonies and parties and even in many Islamic fundraising dinners, there is heavy free-mixing between brothers and sisters. Often the chairs of males and females are arranged facing each other, knowing that about 90 percent of our sisters do no wear<!-- D(["mb","u003cspan>hijabu003c/span>. It is often n noticeable to see males and females peeking glances at each other from the n opposite ends of the hall. u003cstrong>u003cb>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman">A big n curtain is not my intention, but a big and befitting Islamic u003cspan>mannersu003c/span> is.u003c/font>u003c/b>u003c/strong> n u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>n u003cp>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman" coloru003d"black" sizeu003d"3">u003cspan styleu003d"font-size:12pt;color:black">It comes in a u003cspan>hadithu003c/span> that: u003cem>u003ci>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman">"A woman n who applies perfumes and goes to a gathering is like an n adulteress".u003c/font>u003c/i>u003c/em> Compare this with our sisters who clad n themselves with expensive perfume, one kilogram of makeup, and then come n to mixed gatherings. Will this not attract the attention of males? Let's n be real. We have lowered our moral guards so low that a humble word of n truth often seems so awfully strange. u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>n u003cp>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman" coloru003d"black" sizeu003d"3">u003cspan styleu003d"font-size:12pt;color:black">Let us contemplate the above humble n advices and constantly make the supplication, "O Allah help us control our n sensual desires until we get married, and even after we marry, let our n desires be only towards our spouses." u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>n u003cp styleu003d"text-align:right" alignu003d"right">u003ci>u003cfont faceu003d"Times New Roman" coloru003d"black" sizeu003d"2">u003cspan styleu003d"font-size:10pt;color:black;font-style:italic">By n u003cspan>Sabeelu003c/span> Ahmedu003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/i>u003cfont faceu003d"Verdana" sizeu003d"2">u003cspan langu003d"EN-CA" styleu003d"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana"> u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/p>u003c/td>u003c/tr>n u003ctr>n u003ctd styleu003d"border-right:navy 1pt solid;border-replaced:medium none;border-replaced:navy 1pt solid;border-bottom:navy 1pt solid">n u003cp styleu003d"text-align:center" alignu003d"center">u003cstrong>u003cb>u003cfont faceu003d"Trebuchet MS" sizeu003d"2">u003cspan styleu003d"font-size:10pt">u003cspan>u003c/span>u003c/span>u003c/font>u003c/b>u003c/strong> u003c/p>u003c/td>u003c/tr>n u003ctr heightu003d"1">n u003ctd styleu003d"replaced:#003399" widthu003d"100%" bgcoloru003d"#003399" heightu003d"1">",1] ); //--> hijab. It is often noticeable to see males and females peeking glances at each other from the opposite ends of the hall. A big curtain is not my intention, but a big and befitting Islamic manners is.
It comes in a hadith that: “A woman who applies perfumes and goes to a gathering is like an adulteressâ€. Compare this with our sisters who clad themselves with expensive perfume, one kilogram of makeup, and then come to mixed gatherings. Will this not attract the attention of males? Let’s be real. We have lowered our moral guards so low that a humble word of truth often seems so awfully strange.
Let us contemplate the above humble advices and constantly make the supplication, “O Allah help us control our sensual desires until we get married, and even after we marry, let our desires be only towards our spouses.â€â€œO you Children of Adam! We have bestowed on you raiment to cover your shame as well as to be an adornment to you. But the raiment of righteousness, that is the best. Such are among the Signs of Allah, that they may receive admonition.†(Quran 7:26)
“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear therof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, or their brothers' sons or their sisters' sons, or their women or the servants whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex, and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O you Believers, turn you all together towards Allah, that you may attain Bliss.†(Quran 24:31).
“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognised and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.†(Quran 33:59)
- SM
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u should have this topic in room too so more people think over that matter ......maybe u can change some minds .....as i know not so many people read blogs and forums ...but thanks so much its so good.....
