WHY YOU SHOULD LOWER YOUR GAZE

Five reasons to lower your gaze

As Muslims, we are well aware of the Quranic injunction to lower your gaze from members of the opposite sex, especially in cases where there is desire or attraction. No doubt, at times this can become very difficult and we may fall into sin through our unfortunate shortcomings and weaknesses.
We have put together a list of a few reasons why you should lower your gaze that may perhaps encourage you to stay strong.

Let’s begin.

1.      To Lower your gaze, is to gain contentment

Imam Al Ghazzali states that the one who gazes lustfully will experience dissatisfaction after realizing he has fallen in love with one he cannot be with. He also states that this dissatisfaction may also be brought about after gazing upon someone only to come across something you did not like. Either way, such gazes are destined for misery.

(Ihya ‘Ulum Al-Din, Breaking The Two Desires).

This is particularly notable for those who are married. By lowering the gaze, one will ensure that they will not be allured by anyone else but their current spouse, hence securing their sense of contentment.

Contentment will also be achieved through lowering the gaze when one realizes that he has pleased his Lord through his actions and that he will undoubtedly be rewarded for his sacrifice.

2.     Lowering the gaze wards off evil thoughts.

To lower your gaze means you are warding off the arrows of Satan and preventing evil desires from gaining momentum.

“The one who goes against his whims and desires, Satan flees from his shadow.”  

(Ibn Qayyim, Al-Jawaab al-Kaafi)

3.    It is a direct command from Allah

Allah directly instructs both the believing men and women to lower their gaze in the Quran.

“Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.”

Quran 24:30

The Messenger ﷺ also advised his companions to lower their gaze.

Jareer ibn ‘Abd-Allaah said:

“I asked the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ about a sudden glance, and he commanded me to avert my gaze.”

(Narrated by Muslim, 2159)

The Prophet ﷺ also warned us explicitly of the dangers of not lowering the gaze, when he said:

“…The adultery of the eyes is looking (at [that] which is not allowed)…”

(Bukhari, Muslim).

lower your gaze

4.     You will gain self-discipline

Surely those who are strong enough to control their gaze from that which is prohibited will be strong enough to face more of life’s challenges.

A mind that is polluted with explicit images and infatuated with desire will no doubt find difficulty in concentration and focus.

This spiritual strength is key for a believer, particularly due to the Prophet’s statement:

“The strong believer is better and more lovable to Allah than the weak believer”.

(Sahih Muslim).

5. You will be granted light

Allah states in the Quran that those who have fear of Allah and obey the Messenger will be given a light by which they walk with. No doubt protecting your eyes from unlawful gazes are

“O you who have believed, fear Allah and believe in His Messenger; He will [then] give you a double portion of His mercy and make for you a light by which you will walk and forgive you, and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”

Quran 57:28

The scholars have noted that the more one obeys Allah, the more one’s light will increase. One who obeys Allah will also be honoured by God Almighty as a close friend or ally.

“Whosoever desires honor, power, and glory then to Allaah belong all honor, power, and glory [and one can get honor, power, and glory only by obeying and worshipping Allaah (Alone)]. To Him ascend (all) the goodly words, and the righteous deeds exalt it (i.e. the goodly words are not accepted by Allaah unless and until they are followed by good deeds)”

Quran 35:10