I am not sleepy; rather, I close my eyes out of fear that nurses may come into view, so that my gaze does not fall upon them.”^[1]

سُبْحٰنَ اللہ! Did you hear how cautious the friends of Allah are in guarding their gaze? Despite having the ability, they make every possible effort to protect themselves from looking at non-maḥram women. They are firmly convinced that whether anyone sees them or not, Allah Almighty is always watching. If only we too could be blessed with this passion for guarding the gaze and become protectors of our eyes.

The Best Way to Protect the Eyes

One excellent method for attaining steadfastness in protecting the eyes is to engage in self-accountability regularly. For instance, review your actions by addressing yourself in this way: “O servant! Allah Almighty has blessed you with the great gift of eyes, with which you can see whatever you wish. But reflect for a moment on how you have used them? Did you use them to navigate your path, to learn and teach the knowledge of religion, to recite the Quran, to behold the Holy KaꜤbah, the Green Dome, and other sacred sites, and to look upon your parents and pious people? Or, مَعَاذَاللہ, did you use them to look at non-maḥram women, to indulge in unlawful glances on social media, to watch films and dramas, to look at pictures of non-maḥram women in newspapers, to gaze at large advertising billboards featuring images of women, to read someone’s letter or writing without permission, to view obscene pictures or videos on a computer or mobile phone, to peep into someone’s house, or to look around aimlessly?  

You were commanded to keep these eyes pure. You should have longed for the vision of Allah, His beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, the noble Companions and the Ahl al-Bayt رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم, the saints رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ, and Paradise. For this, it was necessary that your gaze not rest upon anything unlawful