Compulsion of lowering the gaze and donning Purdah
Question:-
Please can you advise on the wording in the following article (the ideas of which we have seen elsewhere and are causing much confusion and doubts amongst the brothers)?
Under sections 1.1, 1.2 and 1.4, they make the claim that the Madhahibs do not forbid the genders from looking at each other and that it is only Haraam if lustful. As noted above, we have heard claims similar to this mentioned elsewhere (and by some scholars), which is leading some astray.
How do we respond to this and reconcile with what our ulama say regarding the compulsion of lowering the gaze for both men and women?
They also say that “As for the Hadith(s) quoted by some which seem contradictory to all this, they are either weak or at least, less authentic than the aforementioned evidences” – please let us know your thoughts as some people use these claims to justify not lowering their gazes (which has lead to all the Fitnah that we see today).
Answer:-
1. There are numerous narrations which indicate that it is Waajib for one to lower his gaze from the opposite gender. However, Allah Ta’ala has blinded the hearts of certain people hence, they will never accept this matter irrespective of the proofs placed before them, as they attain great enjoyment in mixing and flirting with the opposite gender. The Kuffar of Makkah lived with Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam and witnessed numerous miracles with their very own eyes, which indicated that this is the true Nabi of Allah, yet they were deprived of Imaan whilst others became the noble companions of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
Ibn Katheer Rahimahullah states under the verse, “Tell the Mu’mineen men that they should lower their gazes and guard their chastity [Surah Noor, Verse 30]”, that this is a command of Allah Ta’ala for the believing men to lower their gaze from strange women that are Haraam upon them. Yes, if the gaze suddenly or accidentally falls on a strange woman, then one should turn his gaze away immediately.
It is recorded in a narration of Saheeh Muslim from Hadrat Jareer Bin Abdullah Bajali Radiallahu Anhu who says, “I asked Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam with regard to a sudden (or accidental) glance. He commanded me to turn my gaze away.” This narration has been narrated by Imaam Ahmad (from Hushaim who narrates from Ibn Ubaidullah). This narration is also recorded in Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and Nasai’ee. Imaam Tirmidhi Rahimahullah states that the narration is Hassan Saheeh.
حَدَّثَنِي قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ زُرَيْعٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ ابْنُ عُلَيَّةَ، كِلَاهُمَا عَنْ يُونُسَ، ح وحَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا هُشَيْمٌ، أَخْبَرَنَا يُونُسُ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي زُرْعَةَ، عَنْ جَرِيرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ، قَالَ: سَأَلْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنْ نَظَرِ الْفُجَاءَةِ فَأَمَرَنِي أَنْ أَصْرِفَ بَصَرِي (صحيح مسلم ص1699 ج3)
(نظر الفجاءة) ويقال بفتح الفاء وإسكان الجيم والقصر الفجأة لغتان هي البغتة ومعنى نظر الفجأة أن يقع نظره على الأجنبية من غير قصد فلا إثم عليه في أول ذلك فيجب عليه أن يصرف بصره في الحال فإن صرف في الحال فلا إثم عليه وإن استدام النظر أثم – – – – ويجب على الرجال غض البصر عنها في جميع الأحوال
The commentators state under the above narration that an accidental or sudden look refers to the gaze falling on a strange woman unintentionally (in other words, the woman appeared without it being expected and one’s gaze fell on her). In this instance, there is no sin for the first look as it was unintentional. However, it is Waajib upon one to turn his gaze away immediately. If he turns his gaze away immediately, then he will not be sinful but if he continues looking then he will be sinful (even though it may be the first glance). It is further stated that it is Waajib upon the men to lower their gaze from strange women in all conditions.
Abu Bakr Jasaas Rahimahullah states, “If the first gaze was intentional (meaning that he intentionally looked to attain enjoyment), then it is prohibited. In this instance, the first and second glance are equal in terms of it being prohibited.
قال أبو بكر انما أراد صلي الله عليه وسلم بقوله لك النظرة الاولٰي اذا لم تكن عن قصد – فاما اذا كانت عن قصد نهي والثانية سواء (احكام القران للجصاص ص459 ج3)
In some narrations the following words appear:
اطرق بصرك يعني انظر الي الأرض
which means ‘Lower your gaze, that is, look towards the ground.’ Turning the gaze away has a more general meaning as one can look in another direction if a strange woman appears before him.
In a narration of Abu Dawud Sharif, Abdullah Bin Bareedah narrates from his father who states that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam told Ali Radiallahu Anhu, “O Ali, don’t follow the (first) glance with another glance (with a second look), for verily the first glance is for you and not the second one.” [Tirmidhi]
عَنْ ابْنِ بُرَيْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، رَفَعَهُ قَالَ: يَا عَلِيُّ لَا تُتْبِعِ النَّظْرَةَ النَّظْرَةَ فَإِنَّ لَكَ الأُولَى وَلَيْسَتْ لَكَ الآخِرَةُ: «هَذَا حَدِيثٌ غَرِيبٌ لَا نَعْرِفُهُ إِلَّا مِنْ حَدِيثِ شَرِيكٍ (سنن الترمذي)
It is recorded in a narration of Saheeh Muslim that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “Refrain from sitting on the roadside.” The Sahaabah Radiallahu Anhum said, “O messenger of Allah, we have no option but to have our gathering in which we engage in discussion. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “If you refuse except for the Majlis, then fulfil the right of the path.” The Sahaabah asked, “What is the right of the path?” He replied, “Lower the gaze, refrain from harming anyone, replying to Salaam, commanding good and forbidding evil.”
عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «إِيَّاكُمْ وَالْجُلُوسَ فِي الطُّرُقَاتِ» قَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ مَا لَنَا بُدٌّ مِنْ مَجَالِسِنَا نَتَحَدَّثُ فِيهَا، قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «فَإِذَا أَبَيْتُمْ إِلَّا الْمَجْلِسَ فَأَعْطُوا الطَّرِيقَ حَقَّهُ» قَالُوا: وَمَا حَقُّهُ؟، قَالَ: «غَضُّ الْبَصَرِ، وَكَفُّ الْأَذَى، وَرَدُّ السَّلَامِ وَالْأَمْرُ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ، وَالنَّهْيُ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ (صحيح مسلم)
All these narrations are quite explicit and clear that it is necessary to lower the gaze and not look at strange women. There is no mention of lowering the gaze only if there is inclination towards the woman as these scholars claim, and if there isn’t any such inclination, then lowering of the gaze is not necessary. In fact, after casting a lustful glance, Shaytaan starts whispering in the heart of a person which causes him to fall into adultery. It is for this reason that the lustful glance is regarded as an arrow from the poisonous arrows of Shaytaan.
Under the verse:
يعلم خائنة الاعين وما تخفي الصدور- سورة مومن اية 19
Hadrat Abdullah Bin Abbas Radiallahu Anhu states that a person enters upon his household members and amongst them is a beautiful woman, or he passes by a beautiful woman amongst them. When they are negligent, then he glances at her, and when they are aware of him, then he lowers his gaze. [Re:- Ibn Katheer Pg.68 Vol.4]
Another explanation provided by Hadrat Abdullah Bin Abbas Radiallahu Anhu is that Allah is aware of the glances of the eye whether it deceives or not (by casting lustful glances). [Re:- Ibn Katheer Pg.68 Vol.4]
If it was permissible to glance at strange women, then why would Hadrat Abdullah Bin Abbas Radiallahu Anhu refer to lustful glancing as deception? Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam mentions with regard to deception, “Whoever deceives is not from amongst us.” In a narration of Tabrani Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam states, “The lustful glance is an arrow from the poisonous arrows of Shaytaan. Whoever leaves it due to my fear, then I will change it with such Imaan, the sweetness of which he will feel in his heart.” In conclusion, these scholars (that are in favour of casting lustful glances) have either erred in their conclusion, or are either simply misinterpreting the Quraan and Hadith to suit their whims and fancies.
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّ النَّظْرَةَ سَهْمٌ مِنْ سِهَامِ إِبْلِيسَ مَسْمُومٌ، مَنْ تَرَكَهَا مَخَافَتِي أَبْدَلْتُهُ إِيمَانًا يَجِدُ حَلَاوَتَهُ فِي قَلْبِهِ» (الطبراني ص173 ج10)
2. The compulsion of Purdah/Hijaab is proven directly from the Quraan Sharif. Allah Ta’ala states, “And when you ask the wives of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam for anything, then ask them from behind a curtain (without seeing them.)” [Verse 53 – Surah 33.]
This is the verse of Hijaab which was revealed in the 5th year of Hijri in the month of Dhul Qa’dah. This verse indicates that all the limbs of the body should be totally covered which includes the face and palms. [Re:- Adillatul Hijaab Pg.251]
If Purdah was not necessary then what was the need to command the Sahaabah Radiallahu Anhum to ask the wives of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam from behind a veil, as stated in Verse 53 of Surah Ahzaab? There wouldn’t have been any harm in appearing before them and asking directly. Thus, the above verse is a clear indication of Purdah being necessary.
In verse 59 of Surah Ahzaab, Allah Ta’ala states, “O Nabi! Tell your wives, your daughters and the women of the Mumineen (that when they leave their home due to necessity) they should draw down their ‘Jilbaab’ over themselves.”
Under this verse, Ibn Katheer Rahimahullah has written (quoting a number of Sahaabah and Ta’bieen) that Allah Ta’ala has commanded the women of the believers that, if they leave their home due to some necessity, then they should cover their faces from above their heads with a Jilbaab in such a manner that they expose only one eye. [Ibn Katheer pg.569 Vol.3]
Imaam Abdur Razzaq Rahimahullah narrated from Umme Salmah Radiallahu Anha that after the revelation of this verse, they used to lower their Jilbaab over themselves, that is, the ladies of the Ansaar used to come out of their homes and walk with such dignity as if there were crows sitting on their heads (which would fly away if they walked any faster) and, they used to cover themselves with big black cloaks. (Ruhul Ma’ani Pg.89 Vol.2)
This brings us to the conclusion that Purdah is necessary and in fact, a direct injunction of the Quraan Sharif. We hope that the above discussion suffices in explaining the compulsion of Purdah.
As for the narration of Aisha Radiallahu Anha looking at the Abyssinians playing in the Masjid, the narration cannot be used a proof for women to freely glance at men. Women have been categorically commanded in the Quraan Sharif to lower their gazes (from strange men) and protect their chastity. [Surah Noor, Verse 31] Also, it is recorded in a Saheeh narration of Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and Nasa’ee which states, “Umme Salmah Radiallahu Anha says, Maimoonah Radiallahu Anha and I were seated by Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam when Hadrat Abdullah Bin Umme Maktoom Radiallahu Anhu sort permission to enter. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “Don the veil.” We said, O messenger of Allah, Is he not a blind person who is unable to see us or recognize us? Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, Are the two of you also blind, aren’t the two of you able to see him?” This Hadith is absolutely clear that females are not permitted to look at men just as they are not permitted to glance at females.
عن أم سلمة أنها قالت: كنت أنا وميمونة جالستين عند رسول الله – صلى الله عليه وسلم – فاستأذن عليه ابن أم مكتوم فقال: “احتجبا منه” فقلنا: يا رسول الله: أليس أعمى لا يبصرنا ولا يعرفنا؟ فقال: “أفعمياوان أنتما ألستما تبصرانه” حديث صحيح، أخرجه أبو داود والترمذي والنسائي.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 09 Rabi-ul-Aakhir 1444 / 04 November 2022