Allah the Almighty gave us the invaluable blessing of sight and commanded us to use it within the boundaries He prescribed.
Since sight is considered to provide easiest access to the heart and the key to overwhelming the heart with desires,
Allah the Almighty says: “Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with what they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty.”
The Divine Command applies to both males and females equally.
The verse indicates that the first look, being unintended is not the one that is meant to be controlled. However, if one deliberately looks at something unlawful, then the eyes must be averted instantly from it.
The Prophet SAW said: “The first look must not be followed by the second: The first one is for you but the second one is not.”
The Prophet SAW also said: “Avoid sitting on the roads.” He explained this by saying: “Give the road its right.” When the companions asked the meaning of this, the Prophet SAW explained that this was supposed to mean: “Lowering the gaze, being inoffensive, returning the greetings, advocating good deeds and prohibiting bad deeds.”
The Messenger of Allah SAW also ordered his wives to lower their gaze from men, even if the men are blind.
Lowering the gaze is considered a great Mercy from Allah, the Exalted, the Glorified!
