Avoiding the Betrayal of the Eyes: Mufti Taqi Usmani’s Guidance on Lowering the Gaze
(Malfoozat of Shaykh al-Islam Hazrat Maulana Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani)
It was advised that my Hazrat Dr. Abdul Hai Arifi (may Allah sanctify his soul), used to say:
“If ever you feel the urge to look inappropriately or lift your gaze toward something sinful, imagine that your father is watching you at that moment. Would you still keep your gaze there? If you wanted to stare at a non-mahram and the desire arose in your heart, but you instantly became aware that your father is watching you, or your teacher is watching, or your Hazrat (Murshid) is watching, or your children are watching, or your students are watching—would you still continue to look?
Where would that desire go? Despite the strong temptation, a person would immediately turn their gaze away.
Why? Because they know that the one watching would consider them despicable for such behavior.”
How did you manage to turn your gaze away?
You say that you can’t do it, that you don’t have the strength to lower your gaze. But you just did it—didn’t you?
This shows that it is within your control, and all it takes is a little effort and resolve to do it.
If you can lower your gaze because your father, teacher, or children might be watching, then consider this: the Allah who granted you the blessing of sight is watching you as well. Why, then, do you lack the strength to turn your gaze away? If a human sees you, at most, they will think poorly of you and judge you as a bad person, but that’s all. However, if Allah Almighty sees you, the result is much worse. Sometimes, punishment comes in this world, and if you don’t repent, there will be punishment in the Hereafter as well.
(Dars-e-Shu’ab Al-Iman, Volume 3, Page 83)
This Malfooz is selected by Dr. Faisal Sahib.