Females casting lustful glances

Question:-

I want to find out with regards to the following:

1.The harms of females casting lustful glances at men.

2. Surfing the net and apps searching for household items and items for one’s baby? Does such surfing lead to the love of Dunya, and ultimately acquiring items that aren’t really necessary, resulting in wastage?

3.What is the ruling in regards to vaccinating new born babies? Is there more harm than benefit?

Answer:-

1. The injunction of guarding one’s gaze is applicable equally to both men and women. Generally, Allah Ta’ala addresses the men in the Quraan Sharif but the women are included in the address as well. However, when instructing the believers to guard their gazes, Allah Ta’ala addressed the men in a separate verse and the women in another verse. The women were not included in the address of the men as is the norm in the Quraan Sharif. This indicates towards the importance of this matter.

Allah Ta’ala states,

Tell the Mu’mineen men that they should lower their gazes (not look at non-Mahram women) and guard their chastity (not do or look at anything that may lead to adultery or fornication or homosexuality). This is purer for them (ensures their purity and the purity of society at large). Allah is Informed of what they do (He knows the inclinations of the heart and the secretive glances that men cast). [Verse 30 – Surah Noor]

 

And tell the Mu’mineen women that they should lower their gazes (not look at non-Mahram men with lust) and preserve their chastity (not do or look at anything that may lead to adultery or fornication or lesbianism). [Verse 31 – Surah Noor]

 

Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Allah Ta’ala curses the one that looks, and the one that is looked at.”

   قُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصارِهِمْ عن النظر الى ما لا يحل النظر اليه عن الحسن مرسلا قال بلغني ان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال لعن الله الناظر والمنظور إليها رواه البيهقي في شعب الايمان يغضوا صيغة امر بحذف اللام ومن زائدة على قول الأخفش فانه يجوز زيادة من في كلام الموجب عنده وعند سيبويه من للتبعيض لان المؤمنين غير مأمورين بغض الابصار مطلقا بل بالغض عما لا يحل النظر اليه بل المنهي عنه النظرة الثانية الّتي يكون بالارادة دون الاولى الّتي لا تكون بالارادة لحديث بريدة قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لعلى يا على لا تتبع النظرة النظرة فان لك الاولى وليس لك الاخرة- رواه احمد والترمذي وابو داود والدارمي وعن جرير بن عبد الله قال سالت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن نظرة الفجاة فامرنى ان اصرف رواه مسلم وعن ابى امامة عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال ما من مسلم ينظر الى محاسن امراة أول مرة ثم يغض بصره الا أحدث الله له عبادة يجد حلاوتها- رواه احمد

التفسير المظهري ص431 ج6

In conclusion, both males and females will be sinful for casting lustful glances at the opposite party. This destroys the spirituality within a person and as a result one is deprived of the sweetness of Imaan. A person deprived of sweetness of Imaan finds difficulty in performing Salaah, reciting Quraan Sharif, engaging in Zikrullah etc. By guarding one’s gazes, one is blessed with the sweetness of Imaan. Mullah Ali Qaari Rahimahullah has mentioned, “When the sweetness of Imaan enters the heart, it never leaves a person.” This indicates that a person will leave the world with Imaan. Sweetness of Imaan refers to attaining enjoyment in all acts of obedience, giving preference to Ibaadaat over all desires and (being prepared) to undergo difficulties for the pleasure of Allah and His Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam.

وقد ورد أن حلاوة الإيمان إذا دخلت قلبا لا تخرج منه أبدا، ففيه إشارة إلى بشارة حسن الخاتمة له، وقيل: معنى حلاوة الإيمان استلذاذ الطاعات وإيثارها على جميع الشهوات والمستلذات وتحمل المشاق في مرضاة الله ورسوله (المرقاة ص74 ج1)

Hadrat Hakim Akhtar Saheb Rahimahullah, a great Sheikh of Tasawwuf and an expert in treating the illness of lustful glances, has recorded 14 harms of casting lustful glances, which we have recorded below;

• Harm No.1: Disobedience of Allah

• Harm No.2: Breach of Trust

• Harm No.3: Curses From Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam 

• Harm No 4: An Action of Stupidity

• Harm No.5: Causes Pain to the Heart

• Harm No.6: Weakness of the Heart

• Harm No.7: Medical Harm

• Harm No.8: Premature Ejaculation

• Harm No.9: Ungratefulness

• Harm No.10: Weakness of Eyesight

• Harm No.11: Distance from Allah Ta’ala

• Harm No.12: Heart Attack

• Harm No.13: Sexual Desires are Aroused

• Harm No.14: Leads to Masturbation

2. If there is a necessity to purchase items for the home or one’s child, then there is no harm in browsing the net so that one is able to acquire the item easily and at the best possible price. However, just browsing the net all the time and checking items that are not even required, is a futile and useless activity. This time could be utilized in some constructive activity or some Ibaadat of Allah Ta’ala such as the Zikr of Allah Ta’ala, which can be carried out even without Wudhu or even whilst lying down. Imaam Ghazaali Rahimahullah has stated that there are 3 types of activities; the first are those activities that are beneficial to one, either in the world, or the hereafter. The second are those that are harmful to one, either in this world, or the hereafter and should be discarded. The third are those actions that are neither beneficial nor harmful in the world or the hereafter and should also be discarded, just as the harmful things (in the second category) should be discarded. Just browsing through household items and clothing on the net to pass time will fall in this (third) category and should be discarded.

The more a person looks at things of Dunya, the more he desires them. If one looks at luxurious homes, vehicles, kitchenware, clothing etc. the more a person desires to upgrade all the time. On the other hand, the more a person looks at people that are less fortunate than him; it is most likely that he will be grateful for the bounties of Allah Ta’ala. This is mentioned in the narration of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam which is quoted below:

عن أبي هريرة، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: انظروا إلى من أسفل منكم، ولا تنظروا إلى من هو فوقكم، فهو أجدر أن لا تزدروا نعمة الله – قال أبو معاوية – عليكم (صحيح مسلم)

3. Our view in the matter is that vaccinations should be avoided. There are numerous children that have never been vaccinated since birth and are perfectly healthy. Those children that are vaccinated against smallpox, measles etc. many a times contract the disease even though they are vaccinated, whilst unvaccinated children remain protected many times. This, in essence, means that the matter lies totally in the Hands of Allah Ta’ala. If you are referring to covid vaccines then these should be totally avoided (for both adults and children) mainly because the ingredients remain unknown (although there are many reports of it containing Haraam ingredients) and it has proven harmful for many. However, medical professionals hold a different view on the matter and, based on their profession, they are entitled to their view. We have expressed our view on the matter above.

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 03 Rajab 1443 / 05 March 2022