out, Shaytan gazes at her intently.^[1]

The proof of Islam, Imam Muḥammad al-Ghazālī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه, states: A person who is unable to control their eyes cannot protect their private parts either.^[2]

The importance of guarding the gaze is further highlighted in the Quran, where a clear command has been revealed.

In verse 30 of Surah al-Nūr, Part 18, Allah declares:

قُلْ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ یَغُضُّوْا مِنْ اَبْصَارِهِمْ وَ یَحْفَظُوْا فُرُوْجَهُمْؕ-ذٰلِكَ اَزْكٰى لَهُمْؕ-اِنَّ اللّٰهَ خَبِیْرٌۢ بِمَا یَصْنَعُوْنَ(۳۰)

Command the Muslim men to lower their gaze and protect their concealed parts. This is purer for them—Allah is aware of their deeds.^[3]

It is stated on page 62 of the book ‘Mukhtaṣar Minhāj-ul-ꜤAbidīn’, published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah, that the command has been given here to lower the gaze. It is incumbent upon the servant to act upon the command of his Master; otherwise, he will be deemed disrespectful and will not be granted permission to enter the presence of the Master. The statement in the blessed verse, ذٰلِكَ أَزْکٰى لَهُمْ  (that is purer for them), means it purifies their hearts and increases their goodness. This command informs us that in lowering the gaze lies the purity of the heart and an abundance of worship and goodness. For if you do not restrain your gaze and leave its reins loose, it will look upon futile things, and if the mercy of Allah the Almighty is not with you, you will be destroyed. This is because you will either look upon the unlawful (ḥarām) and thus fall into sin, or you will look towards the permissible (mubāḥ), and your heart