My beloved brothers, may Allah bless you and grant you success in both this world and the Hereafter.
I come to you with a sincere reminder: the gaze is one of the greatest blessings Allah has bestowed upon us. It is the key to our hearts, and how we direct our gaze determines the condition of our souls. When we allow our eyes to wander into the forbidden, our hearts become clouded with darkness, and we drift away from Allah’s light and guidance.
One of the greatest trials of our time is the flood of indecent images and scenes broadcast by those who oppose the values of our faith. Through movies, television shows, and harmful media, the enemies of Islam have spread corruption, distorting the essence of beauty, love, and intimacy. Sadly, we witness men, even those who are married, expressing dissatisfaction with their wives. Why is this? It is because their minds and hearts have been tainted by the haram they have consumed. Their thoughts are consumed by false beauty and immoral desires, making them unable to see the true beauty of their wives, who are a lawful blessing.
But the one who lowers his gaze is different. The man who guards his sight from the forbidden finds peace and contentment in what is lawful. When he looks upon his wife, he sees her as the most beautiful of women, for his standards of beauty are not defined by the false ideals of Hollywood and its likes. His satisfaction with her is not defined by the corrupted beauty standards of the world, but by the true beauty that lies in her appearance, her character, her righteousness, and the love they share. He enjoys the beauty of affection, the joy of companionship, the intimacy that is pure and lawful, and the peace that comes from contentment in what Allah has provided. Together, they are satisfied with each other - in beauty, love, and affection, seeing each other through the lens of truth and purity.
Beware, my dear brothers, of the destruction that can be caused by a fleeting glance. A single, sinful gaze can ignite a fire in your heart, burning away your peace and leaving you in turmoil. As the wise scholar Ibn al-Jawzī said:
“Understand, O my brother, what I advise you. Your sight is a niʿmah (blessing) from Allah - so do not disobey Him using His own gift. If you lower your gaze from the ḥarām, you will earn great reward. But if you persist in violating this, you may be punished by losing this very niʿmah. And know that the entire struggle lasts just a moment - if you endure, you gain immense good.”
The consequences of our gaze can be profound. The smallest glance, if left unchecked, can lead to calamity. A moment of indulgence can set a chain of events in motion that harms not only your heart but your relationships, your family, and your connection to Allah.
How true are the words of the poet:
كـل الحوادث مبدأها من النظر All calamities begin with the gaze...
ومعظم النار من مستصغر الشرر And most fires arise from the tiniest sparks.
كم نظرة فتكت في قلب صاحبها How many a glance has pierced its owner’s heart…
فتك الســهام بلاقوس ولاوتر Like arrows that strike without bow or string.
The man who allows his gaze to wander without restraint exposes himself to great danger. But the man who lowers his gaze for the sake of Allah will find true satisfaction. He will see the beauty in his wife that no worldly standard can replicate. He will cherish her for who she truly is, enjoying the lawful intimacy and affection that Allah has blessed them with. In this, he will find contentment, peace, and happiness - a happiness far greater than anything the world can offer.
My brothers, I implore you: protect your gaze, for it is a doorway to your heart. A man who lowers his gaze finds tranquility in his marriage, a peaceful connection with his wife, and contentment in his soul.
May Allah grant us the strength to guard our gazes, protect our hearts from the harm of the haram, and bless us with contentment in the lawful beauty that He has provided.