The rules of looking - khâlid Ibrâhîm al-Saq'abî - éditions al-hadith

What part of the gaze is permitted and what part is forbidden?

This is the central question that this brief jurisprudential study attempts to answer. Depending on the different situations and the people they are in the presence of, Muslim men and women are required to control their gaze. There are people whom one may look at, to a certain extent, and others whom one may not without necessity. Each of these two categories of gaze has its own rules and clearly defined permissibilities in Islam.

Is not looking at what is unlawful—that poisoned arrow of Iblis—a gateway to fornication? Is it not the first step of this major sin? Did not the Prophet describe it as the fornication of the eyes?

An epistle to read so as not to make illicit use of this blessing from Allah that is sight and so that our eyes do not testify to our disfavor before our Creator who gave them to us.