Fatwah Concerning Looking

“Fatawa Concerning Looking”
Compiled and Translated by those who seek the

Mercy of Allah Their Lord
The Memphis Da’wah Team
Memphis Da’wah E-Books
© www.MemphisDawah.com
In the name of Allah Most Beneficent Most Merciful
All praise is for Allah the Exalted and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon His
Messenger Muhammad and his family and companions and all those who follow them
and their way until the Day of Resurrection
Fatawa Concerning Looking www.MemphisDawah.com
Table of Contents
Foreword
Introduction
The Issues:
Issue #1: Looking at a Woman for the Purpose of Medical Treatment
Issue #2: Testifying For or Against a Woman
Issue #3: Looking at a Woman for the Purpose of Marriage
Issue #4: Looking at a Woman for the Purpose of Conducting Business
Issue #5: Looking at a Woman for the Purpose of Teaching
Issue #6: Looking at Elderly women and Young Girls
Issue #7: Looking at Images of Women’s Body Parts that are Disconnected from
the Body
Issue #8: Hermaphrodites, Impotent Men, Castrated Men, Old Men, Young Boys
and Sick Men Looking at Women
Issue #9: Women looking at Non-Mahram Men
Issue #10: Men looking at a Woman for whom they are a Mahram
Issue #11: Husband and Wife looking at each other
Issue #12: Looking at the Same Sex
Issue #13: Non-Muslim Women looking at Muslim women
Some Advice to Aid Lowering One’s gaze
Memphis Da’wah E-Books 2 www.MemphisDawah.com

Foreword
This small treatise is primarily based upon the book, “Fiqh of Looking” by Mustafa Abdul
Al-Hayy, in which several fatawa and opinions from a large array of classical and
contemporary Scholars including Muwafaq ad-Deen Abdullah Ibn Ahmad Ibn
Qudamah, Mohyee-ad-deen An-Nawawi, Ibn Qataan, Muhammad ibn Muhammad
Al-Hattaab, Shaykh Abdul-Aziz Ibn Baaz, Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-Uthaimeen
and others.
Some of the major questions addressed in this small booklet are:
- What is allowable to look at of the opposite sex in medical situations?

- If a man is testifying against a woman, is he allowed to look at her?
- Is it permissible to look at a teacher of the opposite sex?
- What is permissible to look at of people of the same sex?
And other similar issues
So with the above in mind, we have translated this small booklet of fatawa regarding
looking as a Naseehah (sincere advice) to our fellow Muslims, as in the hadith of the
Prophet where he said: "Religion is sincere advice.” (Three times) We asked: “To
whom O’ Messenger of Allah?” He said: “To Allah, His Book and His Messenger and the
Leaders of the Muslims and to all of them generally." [Collected by Imam Muslim]
This work is free for all to download from www.MemphisDawah.com to distribute

electronically to read and print for personal study.
And finally we ask Allah by all of His most beautiful names and lofty characteristics
to bless us with the truth, and bless us with following it and allow us to die upon it.
May Allah purify all of our hearts from hypocrisy, our tongues from lies and our actions
from showing off. May Allah take our souls as Muslims and join us with the Righteous in
Jinnah.
Ameen
The Memphis Da'wah Team

Introduction
Interpretation of the meaning
Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden
things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.).
That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what they do.
[ An-Noor:30]
* Note Allah orders lowering the gaze before protection of private parts. This is
because it is the sight that leads one to become unchaste.
Narrated Abu Saeed that the Prophet said: “Beware of gathering upon the
streets.” They said: It is a necessity and we just gather and speak there. He said: “So if
you come to those gatherings then give the road its right” They said: And what is its
right? He said: “Lowering the gaze, keeping back harm, returning salaams, enjoining
the good and forbidding the evil.” [Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud]
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet said: “Indeed Allah has decreed for
the descendants of Adam his portion of Zina (fornication or adultery). He will attain it
inevitably, the zina of the eyes is looking, the zina of the tongue is speech, and the soul
craves and desires, and the private parts consent or disprove it.” [Bukhari, Muslim and
Abu Dawud]
On the authority of Jareer Bin Abdullah : I asked The Messenger of Allah

about a sudden (unexpected, unintentional or accidental) look, so he ordered me to
avert my sight. [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi]
Imam An-Nawawi (May Allah have mercy upon him) said commenting on this hadith: “It
is when your sight unexpectedly (accidentally) falls upon an Ajnabiyah (a woman to
whom a man is not a mahram) without any intent to do so. So there is no sin in that
first glance but he must avert his sight from her immediately. If he does so then he will

not attain a sin but if he prolongs his look then he will fall into sin as this hadith
explains.”
The Messenger of Allah also said: "O Ali, do not follow a glance with another, for
you will be forgiven for the first, but not for the second."
[Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 2701; see Saheeh al-Jaami’, 7953]
Al-Mubaarakfpuri said regarding this hadith: "The words ‘do not follow a glance with
another’ mean do not look again after the first glance. ‘You will be forgiven for the first’
means that you will be forgiven if the first glance was unintentional, and ‘but not for
the second’ means that because the second glance was by choice, it will be counted
against you."
Without a doubt, the issues regarding lowering one's gaze leads to one of the most
Heinous Sins in Islam, Zina (Fornication and Adultery). And not lowering one's gaze is
the root or first step that leads down this dangerous path.
The Salaf were well aware of the danger of illegal looking, as they used to say:
“Looking is like an arrow from the poisoned arrows of Shaytan."
The meaning here is that the damage that is caused by an arrow to the game is similar
to that which illegal looking does to the human being’s heart and iman.
They also used to say: "Looking is like a spark (of fire) that burns the wood. If it does not
burn it all, it will burn some of it."
How true these words are today as this illegal looking has become especially dangerous
in these times of the prevalence of the internet, television (even the News Programs),
and magazines in which there are an abundance of images of the opposite sex.
Then on top of that, many young Muslims today are raised in the West and are taught
that one should look a person in the eye when speaking to them, regardless of gender.
This is not to mention the flood of pornography and other illicit images that have
become a major problem in the world today even amongst some Muslims.
It has become a very sad thing to see that Muslims in this day have "boyfriends" and
"girlfriends". Regardless of how they met, the illicit relationship started with an illegal
look.
And because the problem of free-mixing is so widespread, we have decided to address

the first direct cause of this sickness, rather tha n the sickness itself.

So it is incumbent upon us as Muslims to know exactly where the boundaries of the

halal and haram are regarding this dangerous issue and exactly how to guard our
Islamic modesty. As the Prophet said:
“Every religion has a characteristic and the characteristic of Islam is Hayaa’. “ [Ibn
Maajah]
May Allah send his peace and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and his wives
and his Sahabah.
Issue #1: Looking at a Woman for the Purpose of Medical

Treatment
Question: Is it permissible for a male doctor to look at a n ajnabiyah female patient?
Answer: There is no disagreement amongst the scholars that the doctor is permitted to
look at an ajnabiyah’s awrah (nakedness) as long as, there is a need. The proof is in
the hadiths:
- Ar-Rabeea Bint Mo’awwith said: “We were with the Prophet and we
treated the injured, gave them water and returned the dead to Madinah. [Al-Bukhari]
- Narrated Jabir that Umm Salimah asked permission from the

Messenger of Allah to be cupped, so the Prophet ordered Abu Taibah
to cup her. [Muslim, Abu Dawoud, Ibn Majah and Ahmed]
Viewpoint of the proof: The Prophet ordered Abu Taibah to cup Umm
Salimah giving him permission to look at the area he will cup, since the one
who performs the cupping must look at the place where he will place the cupping
utensil. So this shows that the doctor may look at what is considered the awrah of a
woman for medical purposes.
Consensus: The Fuqaha (scholars of Islamic Jurisprudence) are in agreement on the

permissibility of a doctor looking at the awrah of a person of the opposite sex for
medical purposes if they fulfill the conditions that allow it, which are as follows:
1. The absence of a woman (for treating a lady) who is capable of treating her or there is a
woman but she is not sufficiently qualified.
2. He must not be secluded with her.

3. She must only display the part of the body that will be treated, and he must not look at any
other part of her body.
4. That one fears she may die, she has a terminal disease, facing loss of a body part(s) or
pain that she can not bear if she is not treated.
5. That the doctor (or the one who is treating her) should not be a non-Muslim if there is a
Muslim who is capable.
6. That the doctor must be trustworthy.
7. The doctor must not feel that the female patient will be a great temptation for him. If he
feels that she will be source of great temptation then it is not permitted.
Question: Is it permissible for the one who takes care of the sick during assisting the
sick in making wudu or istinjaa’a to look at the awrah?
Answer: The Fuqaha say yes, because they are in the same position as the doctors
(see question above). And likewise it is permitted for the one who is performing
circumcision or delivering a child to look at the awrah of the patient.
Question: Is it permissible to look at the awrah of a person if he/she was in a life

threatening situation such as drowning, burning or crash?
Answer: It is permissible out of necessity. His position becomes like that of the doctor.

Issue #2: Testifying for or against a woman

Question: Is it permissible to look at a woman (to whom one is not a mahram*) for the
purpose of testifying for her or against her?
Answer: There is no disagreement amongst the Fuqaha that looking at an Ajnabiyah is

permissible while testifying (being a witness) for her or against her. They used the
following proof.
The Qur’an:
Interpretation of the Meaning
- O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even
though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor,
Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your
hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to
give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well Acquainted with what you do. [An-Nisaa:135]
Viewpoint of this Proof: There is no way to be a witness/testify unless he sees clearly

who he is testifying for or against.
The Sunnah: On the authority of Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him)
that Ubaydah Bin Samit said: “O, Messenger of Allah If I find a man with my wife
should I give him respite until I come with four witnesses. He said: “yes.”
[Muslim, Abu Dawoud, Ibn Majah, and Ahmed]

Viewpoint of Proof: This hadith shows that it is a condition in testifying that someone
committed adultery or fornication that there are four male witnesses. There is no way to
testify that someone is guilty of fornication or adultery except by seeing the two private
parts. So this hadith proves that it is permissible to look at an ajnabiyah woman if there
is a need to testify for or against her.
Consesus: There is no difference between the fuqaha that it is permissible for a man to
look at an ajnabiyah woman for the purpose of testifying for or against her.
Question: Is it permissible for a man who is executing a (hudood) punishment against a

woman to look at her?
Answer: It is permissible to look at the place of the Qisas (punishment) because it is a

necessity.
Question: Is it permissible to strip search a lady if we fear some harm from her?
Answer: Yes and the proof is the hadith/story of Haatib. (Some companions were
ordered to intercept a letter that was sent by Hatib, by way of a lady, informing the
Makkans of the Prophet’s plan to invade Mecca. When the Muslims caught up to
the lady she denied she had such a letter. So the companions threatened to strip search
her for the letter. ) The Hadith is found in Saheeh Al-Bukhari. Ibn Hajr said: “This hadith
shows that it is permissible to look at a woman’s awrah if there is a necessity to do
so.” Imam An-Nawawi said: “This shows that strip searching is permissible if there is a
benefit (or necessity) and covering provides a n evil.”
Issue #3: Looking at a Woman for the Purpose of Marriage
Question: Is it permissible to look at a woman whom you wish to propose to?
Answer: Yes and the proof is as follows:
Allah says in Surah Ahzaab: 52

It is not lawful for you (to marry other) women after this, nor to change them for
other wives even though their beauty attracts you, except those (captives or
slaves) whom your right hand possesses. And Allah is Ever a Watcher over all
things.
Viewpoint: You can’t be impressed by beauty except after seeing/looking at her.
Also:
The Hadith which stated that a woman offered herself in marriage to the Prophet
and he took a good look at her is a proof. [Collected Muslim, Abu Dawud and At-
Tirmidhi]
Also:
Al-Mugheerah Bin Shu’bah told the Prophet that he proposed to a woman

and the Messenger of Allah said to him: “Look at her for it is more likely to make the
marriage last.”
And Jabir heard the Messenger of Allah say: “If one of you proposes and is
able to look at what will attract or cause him to marry her than let him do so”
[Ahmed, Abu Dawoud, Hakim and Ibn Abe Shaibah]
Question: What is the ruling of looking at the woman one is proposing to?
Answer: It is mustahab (encouraged) due to the authentic hadiths concerning this. (See
previous answer)
Question: What is permissible to see of the woman you are proposing to?
Answer: The face and hands and nothing beyond this.

Question: Must one wait until the wali (male who is responsible for marrying off the
lady) or she gives permission to look at her?
Answer: You may look when you are determined to propose to or marry her. The
Prophet gave permission to look without making a condition of her permitting you to
look. (Because normally she will be very shy)
Jabir said: I hid behind the trunk of a palm tree (to see a lady from Bani
Maslamah I was interested in proposing to) until I saw of her what impressed me. So I
proposed to her and married her.
[Al-Bayhaqee, At-Tahawee and Hakim]
Looking before actually proposing brings good, because if he finds her looks displeasing
he will refrain from proposing and save her from rejection, embarrassment and hurt
feelings.
Question: Is it permissible for him to look at her more than once?
Answer: It is permissible to look more than once if the first look was not sufficient.
(Meaning that her appearance was not clear to the one proposing)
What governs this issue is the need of knowing her appearance; if it was fulfilled in
the first look then the permission to look at her has ended since his need was
fulfilled.
For example, if he looked at her and found her looks pleasing to him and he felt after
looking at her that he wants to marry her then it is not permissible to look again
because the origin of looking at her is Haram.
It was only made permissible to look at her (for that moment) in order to know whether
her appearance encourages him to marry her. So if the reason for looking has ended,
and there is no reason to continue or repeat looking at her, then it is not permissible.
Question: If he looks at the woman he proposes to, is it permissible to look with

sensual delight/arousal?
Answer: It is permissible to look with sensual delight (at her face and hands) because
the shariah allows him to look at the proposed with the intent of seeing her beauty. He
can not leave behind his desires (sensual pleasures).

Question: If the one proposing is sure he will be rejected by the wali or the lady, can he
look at her during the proposal?
Answer: No, he can’t look if that is the case. That is because looking was made
permissible for the sake of marriage and if he is certain he will be rejected then it is
forbidden.
Question: If one is unable to see the lady (he desires to propose to) for himself and
there is no woman to go look at her and inform him of her appearance, is it permissible
to look at her sister or daughter (for the purpose of trying to judge how she might look)?
Answer: No, it is not permissible to look at her sister or daughter because the
Prophet said:” look at her “(meaning the lady one is proposing to) so he made looking
specifically towards the proposed.
Question: Is it permissible for a man to look at the woman he is proposing to in

seclusion?
Answer: No, it is not permissible to look at her while being alone with her. That is
because the Shari’ah has not allowed being alone with an ajnabiyah woman. So this
general prohibition remains. The Prophet said: “A man and a woman are not secluded
except with a mahram of hers” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Question: Is it permissible to look at two women (together) while it is impermissible to

marry both of them at once to see which is more pleasing?
Answer: It is permissible for a man to look at two prospects for marriage that are
impermissible to be co-wives.
Question: Is it permissible to look at a picture of a woman who you would like to

propose to?
Answer: Yes, it is permissible to look at the picture of the woman you intend to propose
to. If looking at her in person is permissible, then looking at her picture is even more so.
But note pictures should only be given to those who are known to be religious so
that the picture will not be improperly used.

Question: May a man look at a woman he has proposed to after the proposal, but
before the marriage if he has proposed before looking at her?
Answer: Yes, it is mustahab to look after he has proposed if he did not look prior to the
proposal. But it is best if he looks before proposing.
Question: If one looks at the lady he is proposing to and finds that her looks are not
pleasing, what should he do?
Answer: Do as Imam An-Nawawi said: “Keep quiet, and do not say ‘I do not want her’,
because this might be harmful.”
Question: Is it permissible for a woman to look at the man who is proposing to her?
Answer: Yes, because the marriage is between both not just one party and more so
because this is a contract which is harder for her to remove herself from it than him.
Question: What is she allowed to look at of him?
Answer: Everything besides his awrah (what’s between his navel and knees).
Question: Is it okay for a man to send a lady to look at the woman he wishes to
propose to if he can not reach her?
Answer: Yes, if he is unable to see her, then he should send another woman to look
and describe (only) her hands and face.
Question: Is it permissible if he sends a man to look at her on his behalf?
Answer: No, because the Prophet made the looking permissible only for the one
who is proposing.
Issue #4: Looking at a Woman for the Purpose of Buying,

Selling, Renting, Borrowing and Other Business Purposes

Question: Is it permissible for a man to look at a woman while doing business with her?
Answer: It is not permissible to look at a non-elderly woman while doing business

transactions .
Question: I'm a male college student that has begun the process of looking for a job.
Our school tells us that it is key, when interviewing for a job, to look the job recruiter in
the eyes, and not to stare at the ground. Nowadays, women are the ones giving the
interview and I was wonderi ng if it is permissible to look at her, because she may not
get the right impression of me if I stare at the ground.
Answer: The reason that you mentioned is not an excuse that makes it permissible to
look at non-mahram women. You should seek halal provision, and provision is in the
hand of Allah; that which is with Allah cannot be obtained by disobeying Him. Rather
Allah has promised the pious (those who fear Him and keep their duty towards Him) that
He will make a way for them to get out of every difficulty and He will grant them
provision from (sources) they could never imagine, as Allah says
Interpretation of the meaning:

“And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for
him to get out (from every difficulty).
And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever
puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his
purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things”[al-Talaaq 65:2-3]
What your teacher has told you goes against the words of Allah:
Interpretation of the Meaning:
“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and
protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. Verily,
Allah is All-Aware of what they do.” [al-Noor 24:30]
And the Prophet said in a Sahih Hadith: “Avert your gaze.” [Ahmad and Muslim]
Who is more deserving of being obeyed, Allah and His Messenger , or your
teachers?!
So I advise you to adhere to taqwa and to keep away from that which is haram. Allah
will make it easy for you by His Leave and His Bounty.
Issue #5: Looking at a woman for the Purpose of Teaching
Question: Is it permissible to look at an ajnabiyah for the purpose of teaching her?
Answer: It is permissible only if the six conditions that Imam Ash-Shafi’ee stated are
met. They are…
1. That there is not a woman who can teach this lady, or there are women but they are not
proficient.
2. There is not a mahram of hers who could teach her the knowledge.
3. That it is not possible to teach her/them from behind a screen.

4. They should not be secluded.

5. To only look if necessary and for only the amount that is necessary.
6. To not look towards her with any passion.
Question: What should medical students do in lectures given by female teachers?
Answer: People like these students have no other option, so they must try hard to
lower their gaze, protect themselves and keep away from the temptation which may
lead them into haram action. If he notices that he is starting to slip towards something
haram, then he should stop attending these lectures.
Question: Is it allowed to organi ze an Islamic lecture where the speaker is a woman,

but the sister will be speaking to a mixed (male and female) audience?
Answer: This is not permissible except in cases of necessity, and on the condition
that the men cannot see her. There should be a screen between her and them, and she
should not soften her voice too much, because her voice may be awrah. Women a re not
allowed to say Tasbeeh out loud in the prayer – if the Imam makes a mistake – instead
they are commanded to clap [to draw the Imam’s attention to a mistake], lest their
voices be recognized.
Issue #6: Looking at Elderly Women and Young Girls
Question: Is it permissible to look at elderly women?
Answer: You may look at the women who have reach the age where they can no
longer bear children (due to old age) and do not desire to marry (due to old age) and
men do not desire to marry them (due to o ld age). Because Allah has said:

”And as for women past child-bearing who do not expect wed-lock, it is no sin on
them if they discard their (outer) clothing in such a way as not to show their
adornment. But to refrain (i.e. not to discard their outer clothing) is better for
them. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.” [An-noor:60]
Question: Is it permissible to look at a young girl?
Answer: You may look at her as long as she is not a girl whose looks cause men to
desire her or to be attracted to her due to her resembling a woman more than a girl
(semi-developed) or stunning ly beautiful.
Question: Is it permissible to look at an ajnabiyah woman by way of television,

magazine, internet and etc.
Answer: No, looking at the actual woman and looking at an image of her are the same
in prohibition, since they both contain the reason why the Shari’ah forbids looking at an
ajnabiyah woman.
Issue # 7: Looking at Images of Women’s Body Parts

That are disconnected from the Body
Question: Is it permissible for a man to look at an ajnabiyah’s body part if it is

disconnected from her body? (Such as an image of a woman’s hand, legs or hair alone,
like what is sometimes found in commercials or on products.)
Answer: Every part of a woman that is impermissible to look at attached is not

permissible to look at if separated.

Issue #8: Hermaphrodites, Impotent Men, Castrated Men, Old

Men, Young Boys and Sick Men Looking at Women
Question: Is it permissible for a hermaphrodite to look at women?
Answer: If he’s a hermaphrodite who is not attracted to women then it is permissible

but if he finds himself attracted to women then it is not permissible for him to look at
women.
Question: Is it permissible for a castrated, impotent, or elderly man to look at an

ajnabiyah woman?
Answer: It is permissible for them only if they have absolutely no desire for women.
Question: Is it permissible for a boy who has not reached the age of discernment to
look at an ajnabiyah woman?
Answer: Yes, it is permissible.
Issue #9: Women looking at Non-Mahram Men
Question: What is the ruling on women looking at non-mahram men?
Answer: It is permissible for her to look as long as it is not accompanied with lust or
desires. I advise women to keep far away from looking at non-mahram men. It is best
for her not see non-mahram men or to be seen by non-mahram men. This includes her
watching wrestling, boxing matches and men’s sports. You will find many women are
weak in sturdiness and she becomes aroused by these images and films and is
exposed to temptations. So staying away from these temptations is safer.

Issue #10: Men looking at Women for Whom They are a

Mahram
Question: What is allowed for a man to look at of the women who he is their Mahram?
Answer: It is permissible for him to see of them what is normally displayed during
house chores (which is the head, neck, elbows to the hands and knees to the feet). As
for the women, they may look at their mahram’s entire body excluding the awrah.
Question: My mother-in-law covers completely in front of me and does not eat with me.
Is this correct?
Answer: It is permissible for her to remove her hijab in front of you since you are a
mahram for her, but she is not obliged to remove it if she does not want to. To remove
her hijab in front of you is preferred since this will create (plutonic) love between the two
of you and she will be acting upon what Allah has made permissible.
Question: Is it permissible for a man to look at the mother or daughter of the woman he
has committed zina with?
Answer: No it is not permissible for him to look at them even in spite of the fact that he
can not marry them.
Question: Is it permissible to look at a woman whom I’m a mahram (such as an aunt

who may be the same age) for with lust?
Answer: It is not permissible to look at a woman whom you are a mahram for with lust.
If you fear some attraction to one of them you should try to avoid being secluded with
them.
Issue #11: Husband and Wife Looking at Each Other
Question: What is permissible for the husband to see of his wife and vice versa?

Answer: It is permissible for the two of them to look at the other’s entire body without
any exceptions.
Issue #12: Looking at the Same Sex
Question: Is it permissible for men to look at men’s awrahs and women at women’s
awrahs?
Answer: No, The Prophet said: “Let not the men look at other men’s awrahs nor the
women at other women’s awrahs.” [Muslim]
Question: What are women allowed to see of other women’s bodies?
Answer: They are allowed to look at what the mahram man is allowed to look at which
is the head, neck, elbows to the hands and knees to the feet.
Issue #13: Non- Muslim women looking at Muslim Women

Question: Is it allowed for Muslim women to remove their hijab in front of non-muslim
women?
Answer: Yes, she is allowed showing her head, neck, elbows to the hands and knees
to the feet.
And Allah knows best.
Some Advice to Aid in Lowering One’s Gaze

From the fatawa above, we can conclude that it is very clear that deliberately looking at
a non-mahram woman and continuing to look after a first accidental glance is haram,
and that it is forbidden to look at any part of her body (except in cases of extreme
necessity as discussed above) whether one thinks the woman is beautiful or not,
whether it provokes sexual desire or not, whether it is accompanied by evil thoughts or
not, and regardless of whether the illegal look leads to immoral deeds.
The following are some points that we hope will aid in lowering the gaze, Insha Allah.

- Avoid places where a person feels they will be exposed to the temptation of
looking at the opposite sex. We should avoid when possible places such as the
marketplaces or malls, and sitting in the street, (particularly in the West).
The Prophet 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 offence…” [Collected by Imam al-
Bukhari, and Imam Muslim]
- Realize that there is no choice in this matter, regardless of the circumstances, the
emotions or desires, or how great the temptation or motive to do evil. We must lower
our gaze and refrain from looking at haram things at all times and all places. One
cannot use excuses such as the “environment being corrupt” or justify sin by saying that
“there is a lot of temptation around.” Allah says:
Interpretation of the meaning:
“It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have
decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever
disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed into a plain error” [Al-
Ahzab 33:36]
- Do not let your gaze wander aimlessly. This will protect your eyes from falling upon
the haram (even accidentally).
- Avoid, if not completely eliminate, the television from your home. There is little
benefit in the television and without a doubt the evil is much greater tha n whatever little
benefit one can extract from it. The television is a tool to spread immodesty, nudity and

free mixing of the sexes into our homes, and we should avoid this evil and keep it from
harming us and our families; especially in light of this topic of illegal looking.
This is not to mention the fact that a Muslim should always spend his/her time wisely as
the Messenger of Allah said:
- "Everything with which a man amuses himself is Baatil (baseless, null and
impermissible) - except three, his practicing with bow (and arrow); his training the
horse and his playing with his family." [Sahih al-Bukhari]
He also said:
- "The servant of Allah will remain standing on the Day of Judgment until he is
questioned about his life, how he spent it…" [at-Tirmidhi]
and:
- "There are two blessings that many people lose: health and free time."
[Sahih al-Bukhari]
- Get married if possible. This is one of the most effective remedies. The Prophet
said: “Whoever can afford it, let him get married, for it is more effective in lowering the
gaze and in guarding one’s chastity. And whoever cannot afford it, let him fast, for it will
be a shield for him.” [Collected by Imam al-Bukhari, and Imam Muslim]
– Fast. Fasting, as taught by the Prophet in the hadith above. Although this is
addressed to young men, it also includes young women.
– Keep company with Righteous Muslims. A person is naturally affected by the

characteristics of the people he or she associates with. And it is well known that a
person will follow the way of his close friend, and this is buttressed by the hadith of the
Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) stating (meaning): “An individual is upon
the deen of his close friend.” [Ahmad, At-tirmidhi, and Abu Dawud]
- Avoid reading and/or looking at magaz ines that have no benefit. These
magazines, besides having little to no benefit, contain in many cases pictures of scantily
clad people that will only cause sickness to enter into our hearts. So, it is best to avoid
reading or looking at these types of magazines.
- Stay in the remembrance of Allah. This can be accomplished by memorizing the

different authentic du’as (supplications ) of the Prophet and making a habit of saying
these different du’as throughout our day. Insha Allah, this will help to keep our hearts
clean, increase our iman and make us less susceptible to illegal looking .

We ask Allah to forgive us for any mistakes contained in this small booklet,
and forgive anyone who enlightens us to any mistakes and advises us to that
which is better.
We seek refuge in Allah from incompetence, laziness, cowardice, miserliness,

from knowledge that does not benefit, from hearts that do not fear (Allah), from
a soul that is not content and a du’a that is not answered.
We ask Allah to make us from amongst those that are thankful, mindful of Him,
devoted to obedience to Him and constantly in repentance to Him.
We ask Allah to save us from the punishment of the grave, the punishment of
the Hell-Fire and we ask Him to reward us with Jinnah (Paradise).
May Allah send His peace and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and his
wives and his Sahaabah .
Ameen!
The Memphis Da’wah Team

Fatwah Concerning Looking

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“Fatawa Concerning Looking”

Compiled and Translated by those who seek the

Memphis Da’wah E-Books

Memphis Da’wah E-Books 2 www.MemphisDawah.com

Some of the major questions addressed in this small booklet are:

- What is allowable to look at of the opposite sex in medical situations?

And other similar issues

This work is free for all to download from www.MemphisDawah.com to distribute

The Memphis Da'wah Team

Memphis Da’wah E-Books 3 www.MemphisDawah.com

Interpretation of the meaning

On the authority of Jareer Bin Abdullah : I asked The Messenger of Allah

Memphis Da’wah E-Books 4 www.MemphisDawah.com

And because the problem of free-mixing is so widespread, we have decided to address

Memphis Da’wah E-Books 5 www.MemphisDawah.com

So it is incumbent upon us as Muslims to know exactly where the boundaries of the

Issue #1: Looking at a Woman for the Purpose of Medical

- Narrated Jabir that Umm Salimah asked permission from the

Consensus: The Fuqaha (scholars of Islamic Jurisprudence) are in agreement on the

Memphis Da’wah E-Books 6 www.MemphisDawah.com

Question: Is it permissible to look at the awrah of a person if he/she was in a life

Memphis Da’wah E-Books 7 www.MemphisDawah.com

Issue #2: Testifying for or against a woman

Answer: There is no disagreement amongst the Fuqaha that looking at an Ajnabiyah is

Interpretation of the Meaning

Viewpoint of this Proof: There is no way to be a witness/testify unless he sees clearly

Memphis Da’wah E-Books 8 www.MemphisDawah.com

Question: Is it permissible for a man who is executing a (hudood) punishment against a

Answer: It is permissible to look at the place of the Qisas (punishment) because it is a

Issue #3: Looking at a Woman for the Purpose of Marriage

Question: Is it permissible to look at a woman whom you wish to propose to?

Answer: Yes and the proof is as follows:

Allah says in Surah Ahzaab: 52

Memphis Da’wah E-Books 9 www.MemphisDawah.com

Interpretation of the meaning

Viewpoint: You can’t be impressed by beauty except after seeing/looking at her.

Al-Mugheerah Bin Shu’bah told the Prophet that he proposed to a woman

Answer: The face and hands and nothing beyond this.

Memphis Da’wah E-Books 10 www.MemphisDawah.com

Question: Is it permissible for him to look at her more than once?

Question: If he looks at the woman he proposes to, is it permissible to look with

Memphis Da’wah E-Books 11 www.MemphisDawah.com

Question: Is it permissible for a man to look at the woman he is proposing to in

Question: Is it permissible to look at two women (together) while it is impermissible to

Question: Is it permissible to look at a picture of a woman who you would like to

Memphis Da’wah E-Books 12 www.MemphisDawah.com

Question: What is she allowed to look at of him?

Question: Is it permissible if he sends a man to look at her on his behalf?

Issue #4: Looking at a Woman for the Purpose of Buying,

Memphis Da’wah E-Books 13 www.MemphisDawah.com

Answer: It is not permissible to look at a non-elderly woman while doing business

Interpretation of the meaning:

Memphis Da’wah E-Books 14 www.MemphisDawah.com

Interpretation of the Meaning:

Issue #5: Looking at a woman for the Purpose of Teaching

Question: Is it permissible to look at an ajnabiyah for the purpose of teaching her?

Memphis Da’wah E-Books 15 www.MemphisDawah.com

4. They should not be secluded.

Question: What should medical students do in lectures given by female teachers?