In our wedding ceremonies and parties and even in some Islamic events, 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 not wear proper Islamic hijab. Perfume, makeup, tight-fitting clothes and much more is always around. 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 atleast- atleast a big and befitting Islamic manners is.
It’s not just about our weddings, it’s also our schools, colleges, offices, and marketplaces.
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).
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.
Also, remind yourself of Allah’s (thawab) forgiveness and reward for those who lower their gaze in fear and obedience of Him, as the Prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said, as narrated by Ahmad and Al Tabarany,
“Whoever (Muslim) looks at the beauties of a woman, then lowers his gaze, Allah will reward him with an act of worship that he feels its sweetness in his heart”.
Does lowering the gaze have any benefits to the human health?
Scientific research and studies proved that repeated desirous looking at the opposite sex, and the ensuing need to fulfill the suppressed and unfulfilled desires, lead to many problems as serious as productive system diseases, such as the cognition of prostate, the sexual inability, or total infertility.
One of prominent Islamic Author Yasmeen Mojahed somewhere says, ‘Lowering your gaze is such a comprehensive protection. And it doesn't just mean lowering your gaze from what is inappropriate. Also lower your gaze from what doesn't concern you, from the faults and private matters of others’.
Let us contemplate and consider all the above humble pieces of advice 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.”
Source of some texts:
https://www.muslimmarriageguide.com/your-eyes-the-beloved-things-lower-your-gaze/
Images source: Google.com images
Compiled by: Maaz Mohammed A.Q
Bangalore, India